13-Year-Old Charged After Bethesda Dirt Bike Incidents

Montgomery County police charged a 13-year-old boy after officers said he rode a dirt bike recklessly through downtown Bethesda on Wednesday, April 22. (wtop.com) Police said officers got multiple calls around 6 p.m. about juveniles on dirt bikes and e-bikes near Arlington Road and Bethesda Avenue, where riders were nearly hitting pedestrians and cars. (bethesdamagazine.com) (wusa9.com) According to police, the group was riding on roads and sidewalks, running red lights, driving against traffic and blocking traffic in Bethesda’s central business district. (mymcmedia.org) (wtop.com) Police said the riders sped off toward Elm Street when officers approached, and one 13-year-old later came back toward police near Elm Street and Woodmont Avenue. (bethesdamagazine.com) (wusa9.com) Officers removed the teen from the dirt bike, and police said he resisted arrest and shouted racial epithets before he was handcuffed and taken to the 2nd District station. (bethesdamagazine.com) (wtop.com) The boy was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, driving without a license, driving an unregistered motor vehicle, reckless and negligent driving, and failure to obey traffic control devices. (wusa9.com) (mymcmedia.org) Police said the teen did not have a Maryland driver’s license, his dirt bike was not registered, and the bike was confiscated and towed before he was released to his mother. (wtop.com) (bethesdamagazine.com) Montgomery County police used the arrest to warn parents that some dirt bikes and electric dirt bikes cannot be legally ridden on public roads without registration, licensing and required safety equipment. (wtop.com) (bethesdamagazine.com) Montgomery Community Media reported police said any vehicle with an engine larger than 50 cubic centimeters must be registered and operated by a licensed driver in Maryland. (mymcmedia.org) WTOP reported Council member Andrew Friedson said illegal dirt bike operation in downtown Bethesda has been an ongoing concern raised by residents and local businesses. (wtop.com) Police said the 13-year-old was the only rider arrested in the April 22 incident, and they are not looking for the other teens seen in the group. (bethesdamagazine.com)