Baltimore police crack down on illegal dirt bikes after officer struck during arrest

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — The roar of illegal dirt bikes on Baltimore city streets has become a familiar summer sound, but police say riders “raised the stakes” after an officer was struck from behind during an arrest early Sunday.

According to charging documents obtained by FOX45 News, a dirt bike “intentionally” struck an officer from behind as officers were arresting another man, 30-year-old Mautice Green, who was also on an illegal dirt bike. The documents said it happened Sunday around 2:30 a.m. on Maryland Avenue near Falls Road, where police were working crowd and traffic control. The officer was taken to Shock Trauma.

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Police Commissioner Richard Worley referenced the incident during the Baltimore Police Department’s budget hearing before City Council members Tuesday, calling illegal dirt bikes “a nuisance to the city.”

“They raised the stakes the other day when they tried to run up the back of one of my officers with their dirt bike. So, we will start enforcing, our cops are not happy with the way that individual behaved,” Worley said.

The incident comes as city and law enforcement leaders look to address illegal and sometimes dangerous dirt bike riding across Baltimore. During Tuesday’s hearing, City Councilman Zac Blanchard of District 11, asked Worley how the department expects to expand capacity for enforcement involving dirt bikes and ATVs over the next year.

“Our other units under, so special operations are using, are going to be utilized like the traffic investigation unit,” Worley said.

He added, “Our motors unit, those are the ones that are going to start investigating these individuals, because quite honestly, I can’t stand them.”

Riding a dirt bike or any unregistered motorcycle on a public street is illegal in Baltimore and is punishable by a maximum fine of $1,000 or up to 90 days in jail. In recent weeks, police have ramped up enforcement, including issuing more fines against gas station owners who allow riders to fill up.

Worley said the department is limited in its ability to pursue riders, but plans to use aviation resources to help catch offenders.

“Unfortunately, we can’t chase them. They know that. So they taunt us. But once we get the helicopter above them, they’re not going to outrun the helicopter,” Worley said. “So we got to take off one or two of them at a time. We will.”

Police did not respond to questions about the officer who was struck. But our media partners at The Baltimore Sun, citing a spokesperson, reported the officer has been released from the hospital, but has not yet returned to duty.

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