Providence Police Arrest ATV and Dirt Bike Riders Sunday Following Reports of Reckless Driving
Monday, September 06, 2021
Providence Police arrested three men Sunday night after receiving more than a dozen calls for a large group of illegal ATVs and dirt bikes driving recklessly throughout the city.
The incident marks the latest as the city tries to grapple with the illegal vehicles overrunning city streets and terrorizing residents.
In August, a woman was reportedly punched and kicked by a group of ATV and dirt bike riders.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOn Sunday, police arrested Gelson Ruiz Gonzalez, age 24, of Central Falls; Jovanny Nunez, age 21, of Cranston; and Charles Laurie, 22, of 11 Maple Drive in Johnston.
About Incidents
Shortly after 7 PM on Sunday, after receiving reports that a group of ATVs and dirt bikes was getting gas at the Speedway Gas Station on Smithfield Avenue, police went to that location.
An officer pulled directly in front of one rider’s dirt bike at a pump who had gotten off his bike. That rider, Jovanny Nunez, was arrested.
According to police, at least 50 ATVs and dirt bikes began to exit the gas station onto the surrounding roads. As additional police were called in for backup, the illegal vehicles began reportedly obstructing traffic — and circling the officers.
One of the riders allegedly smashed a taillight on one of the police cruisers before riding away.
As the vehicles then fled the gas station, police responded to a report of an overturned ATV. The rider told police he had tried to brake when he was thrown over the handlebars.
That rider, Ruiz Gonazlez, was arrested.
Police say shortly afterward at another location — at the intersection of Charles and Silver Spring Streets, an officer attempted to stop a dirt bike that was operating on a sidewalk.
That rider, Laurie, reportedly lost control as he attempted to flee and crashed, and was arrested.
Charges
Nunez was charged with operating a recreational vehicle upon roadway as well as aiding and abetting in violation of the motor vehicle laws. He was processed and released to appear in district court on September 16.
Gonzalez was charged with illegal operation of an ATV on a roadway and a summons for registration required. He was also issued a release to appear in district court on September 16.
Laurie was charged with operating a recreational vehicle on a roadway. He was processed and released to appear in district court on September 16 as well.
Editor's Note: A previous version identified Nunez as the ATV rider; he was the dirt bike operator arrested at the gas station. The article has been corrected to reflect the ATV rider was Gonzalez.
