Police Charge 4 Men With Reckless ATV, Dirt Bike Use In Meriden

MERIDEN, CT — Four men were charged for reckless use of ATVs and dirt bikes in Meriden, according to police. The men were charged in connection with a June 25 incident when two police officers were dispatched to Broad Street and East Main Street.

When officers arrived, they found 15 to 20 ATVs and dirt bikes in a gas station parking lot. The ATVs and dirt bikes fled in a reckless manner, but one man remained behind as his dirt bike wouldn't start, according to police.

A police officer detained the man, but he was able to break free and managed to get on another man's ATV and flee.

As an officer was securing the dirt bike that was left behind, the group returned and began circling and taunting the officer on their vehicles in the parking lot, according to police. The officer called for backup, and the group fled when they heard other officers responding.

Many of the group were wearing masks. Police have spent weeks investigating using surveillance video to identify those in the group. Four of the members were identified and have been arrested.

Collin Ramos, 28; Jaime Velazquez-Santiago, 25; Justin Potts, 29; and Josue Vega, 36 have been charged with second-degree breach of peace, reckless driving, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, and operation without insurance.

Vega was also charged with operation with a cancelled license.

The investigation also resulted in police seizing two ATVs belonging to Ramos.

A second investigation stemmed from an Aug. 5 incident. On this day, a police officer spotted Vega on Crown Street riding the same dirt bike as he did in the June 25 incident. He fled from the officer but a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was later arrested and held on a $10,000 bond.

All four men are scheduled to appear in court Aug. 25.