SPD Officers on OHV Deployment Seize ATV
SPD Officers on OHV Deployment Seize ATV
Springfield, Mass. — On Thursday July 17th, members of the Springfield Police Department working an Off-Highway-Vehicle (OHV) enforcement detail seized a four-wheeler and arrested 28-year-old Raymond Gonzalez-Ortiz.
Springfield Police Officers conduct these details to deter the illegal riding of dirt bikes and other off-highway vehicles. These vehicles are illegal on any city street and have led to serious injuries and death to numerous riders. These riders are also known to drive recklessly putting pedestrians and other vehicular traffic in danger.
Around 6:05 p.m. Thursday, officers observed a suspect, riding an ATV on White Street at a high rate of speed. The rider, later identified as Gonzalez-Ortiz, was not wearing a helmet. Officers conducted mobile surveillance and observed Gonzalez-Ortiz riding recklessly throughout the city putting numerous pedestrians in danger.
Gonzalez-Ortiz stopped the ATV on Longfellow Terrace and officers conducted a traffic stop. Gonzalez-Ortiz attempted to drive away, but instead got off the ATV and ran away. Officers located Gonzalez-Ortiz at a home on the 0-100 block of Longfellow Terrace and placed him under arrest.
The ATV also had a sticker affixed to it that stated, “Never Operate this Vehicle on Public Roads.”
28-year-old Raymond Gonzalez-Ortiz of Springfield is charged with:
- Failure to Stop for Police
- Negligent/Reckless Operation of a Snow/Recreational Vehicle
- Uninsured Motor Vehicle
- Snow/Recreational Vehicle - Helmet Violation
- Snow Recreational Vehicle - Public Way Violation
- Snow/Recreational Vehicle - Unregistered