Youth arrested in Port Moody for illegally riding electric dirt bike

Port Moody police say a youth is facing criminal charges for illegally riding an e-dirt bike on city streets. Photo by Port Moody Police /Apple Photos Clean Up

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A youth was arrested in Port Moody this week after illegally riding an electric dirt bike and pulling dangerous stunts on a busy city road.

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Port Moody police allege that several times the 14-year-old boy rode in oncoming lanes of traffic on Ioco Road at high rates of speed, performing stunts.

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Police said in a statement that he unsuccessfully resisted arrest and now faces criminal charges in addition to the seizure of his bike.

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The youth is also believed to be linked to other recent dangerous stunts in Port Moody, including fleeing from police during an attempted traffic stop and riding a dirt bike through the interior of a restaurant, according to Port Moody investigators.

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Police did not say which restaurant but that the incident happened two weeks ago. No one was injured.

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“We understand there is growing frustration surrounding these illegal, uninsured dirt bikes,” police said in the statement, adding these bikes can travel at speeds of more than 100 km/h and are often operated dangerously on city roadways.

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“We continue to conduct enforcement related to these types of bikes and strongly urge parents of riders (as the riders are most often youth) to be aware of the legal consequences and safety risks associated.”

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Police are in the process of recommending charges which may include criminal offences like dangerous operation of a motor vehicle as well as motor vehicle violations such as driving without insurance and driving without a licence.

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Meantime, Burnaby RCMP is seeking witnesses or dashcam footage of a crash involving an e-dirt bike and a youth on the Barnet Highway. The crash sent a 15-year-old boy to hospital Tuesday.

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At about 2:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of a serious motor vehicle collision involving an e-dirt bike westbound on Barnet Highway, near Cariboo Road North.

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The driver of the vehicle remained to speak with police and the teen was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

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