Baltimore gas station owner fights back after being accused of fueling illegal dirt bikes

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Baltimore police say they are stepping up enforcement against illegal dirt bike riding this summer. The initiative highlighted after a viral video from The Baltimore Sun showed a large meetup in northwest Baltimore on Sunday night.

Police seized at least 10 bikes. Baltimore police are also issuing more citations to gas station owners who allow dirt bike riders to fill up at their stations, a move that some owners argue is unfair because they say they have no practical way to keep riders away from the pumps.

One of those owners, Mike Goitom of the Crown Gas Station on West Patapsco Avenue near Potee Street, received a civil citation and said Wednesday he plans to fight it.

“It’s not fair, it’s not fair,” Goitom said.

Goitom is accused of fueling illegal dirt bikes. He said the incident happened Sunday night at his gas station and shared surveillance video showing a large group of dirt bikes pulling up to the pumps, with some riders trying to pay at the pump and others attempting to go inside the store to pay.

“He was nervous, he was very nervous,” Goitom said, describing his employee’s reaction.

Goitom said his employee tried to stop the riders from fueling up, including locking the station’s doors to reject inside-store transactions. He said the employee managed to shut down one pump but could not shut down all of them because other customers were there.

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“I mean the principle is he did everything, what can he do? What else can do then? Go outside to fight them?” Goitom said.

Goitom called the citation unwarranted and said his employee did everything possible to prevent the riders from getting fuel.

“This is about principle. I’m telling you, I’m fighting this citation on principle,” Goitom said.

Under a statute aimed at curbing illegal dirt bike activity, police can issue citations to gas stations ranging from $250 to $1,000. In Goitom’s case, the citation is $250.

“It’s not about the money,” Goitom said. “I’m being punished for others actions. I’m fighting this citation in principal you know, because my employee did everything..what else can he do,” he said.

In a statement, a Baltimore police spokesperson said, “It is our preference to work collaboratively with gas station owners and operators.” The spokesperson added, “We also remain committed to eliminating the resources that enable illegal dirt bike activity to continue in Baltimore City.”

Police say the enforcement push is focused on public safety.

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