“Reckless” Massachusetts dirt bike rider arrested on list of charges after foot pursuit

METHUEN — Chief Scott J. McNamara reports that the Methuen Police Department arrested a reckless dirt bike operator last night on numerous motor vehicle charges.

At approximately 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Methuen Police Officer Griffin Waller was conducting patrol as a marked traffic unit when he observed approximately five motorcycles and dirt bikes heading southbound on Broadway. The operators of these bikes were observed to be allegedly violating numerous traffic laws and not wearing helmets.

Officer Waller observed the operators allegedly recklessly weaving in and out of traffic and illegally passing motorists on what appeared to be unregistered recreational vehicles and motorcycles not displaying registration plates or stickers.

Shortly after his observation, detectives assigned to Methuen PD’s newly formed Street Crimes Unit observed the motorcycle and dirt bike operators in the area of 55 Chase Street and began following them.

Police lost sight of all of the operators except for an operator and a passenger who were on one dirt bike. The two suspects, later identified as 26-year-old Jose Almanzar and a juvenile male, allegedly fled on foot but were apprehended shortly thereafter in the area of the big parking lot behind 55 Chase Street.

Almanzar was placed under arrest and charged with Resisting Arrest, Reckless Endangerment of a Child, Passing Violation, Failure to Stop at a Red Light, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Failure to Stop for Police, Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle, Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle, Operating a Recreational Vehicle on a Public Way, and Operating a Recreational Vehicle Without a Helmet.

The juvenile was released to a parent without further incident. No injuries were reported.

The dirt bike was towed from the scene.

Recently, the Methuen Police Department has joined numerous area police departments in a collaborative effort to seek solutions to the growing issue.

“With the drastic increase in reckless dirt bike and ATV operators on public roads, we are committed to keeping our residents and streets safe through increased traffic patrols and enforcement,” Chief McNamara said. “We are pleased to report that as a result of our officer’s diligent traffic enforcement yesterday, we were able to make an arrest.”