HOWELL — A 12-year-old Howell resident was charged after police said he fled from an attempted traffic stop on an electric dirt bike near Taunton School.
According to Howell Township police, an officer was monitoring the area June 8 after repeated complaints about electric dirt bikes creating a nuisance. While parked on Old Hickory Way near Taunton Drive, the officer saw an electric dirt bike pass the patrol vehicle, traveling on the wrong side of the road and failing to stop at a stop sign, police said. The bike also did not have a visible license plate.
Police said the rider, described as a young juvenile, did not stop after the officer activated emergency lights and sirens. The officer also used the patrol vehicle’s public address system to tell the rider to pull over, but the rider looked back toward the police vehicle and accelerated to about 45 to 50 mph, authorities said.
Police said the officer ended the stop attempt and did not pursue the dirt bike once it became clear the rider was fleeing.
Investigators later determined where the juvenile lived and identified him as a 12-year-old from Howell, police said. He was charged with juvenile delinquency acts that would amount to eluding a traffic stop if committed by an adult. He also was charged with violating Township Ordinance 59-1, which bars off-road vehicles from public streets, along with several motor vehicle offenses.
The electric dirt bike was seized and could be subject to forfeiture under township ordinance, police said.
Police said the incident is part of a broader enforcement effort targeting illegal dirt bike riding in Howell. The department said electric dirt bikes are considered motor vehicles, specifically motorcycles, and may not be operated on roads unless they are properly registered and insured and the operator has a valid motorcycle license.
Authorities said the enforcement follows numerous complaints from residents, as well as crashes involving unregistered or uninsured off-road vehicles. Police said such crashes often cause significant injuries and property damage.
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