Cops Crack Down On Dirt Bike, Motorcycle, ATV, Riders Over Weekend

NEW HAVEN, CT — In the summer in the city, it's not uncommon to see dirt bikes, motorcycles, three-wheelers, and ATVs swarm the streets. This past weekend, New Haven cops "conducted a specialized dirt bike and ATV enforcement operation throughout the city," police spokesperson Capt. Rose Dell said. The operation was "aimed to address traffic violations committed by dirt bikes and Motorized Recreational Vehicles," she noted.

The operation resulted in a number of fines being issued, vehicle seizures, and a "serious crash" involving a motorcycle on Whalley Avenue in Westville.

Beginning Saturday, two patrol officers in the area around East Pearl Street issued $1,000 fines and seized a four-wheeled ATV with a passenger. Sunday, officers stopped a Massachusetts man, fined him and seized his Suzuki dirt bike that police said he was driving "illegally on Long Wharf Drive."

A New Haven man was also stopped on August 20 for riding a Yamaha ATV illegally on Rosette Street, was fined $1,000 fine and had his ATV seized. Also on Sunday, a New York man was stopped for riding a dirt bike illegally on Sargent Drive and faced the same fate: a $1,000 fine and the seizure of the bike. Another man from Massachusetts was also stopped for riding a Honda ATV illegally on Sargent Drive, cops said, and "during the stop, it was discovered that Christopher Caraballo-Correa, 37, had a stolen handgun and drugs in his possession." Caraballo-Correa was given a $1,000 fine, had his vehicle seized and faces gun and drugs charges, police said.

And cops said a 21-year-old from Bloomfield was issued a $1,000 fine for reckless riding in
the area of Sargent Drive after crashing his 4-wheeled ATV on the highway. State cops seized the ATV.

Then, shortly after 7 p.m., Sunday, cops were called to a crash at the intersection of Whalley Avenue and Fitch Street. A Grom motorcycle driven by a 32-year-old Massachusetts man was traveling "on the wrong side of the road in a group of dirt bikes and motorcycles," police said. The driver collided with a car and was pinned underneath the vehicle before being rescued by others, police said. He was seriously injured and is in stable condition, Dell said. He was issued a misdemeanor summons for reckless driving, operating on the wrong side of the road, and various other motor vehicle charges.

Right before the crash, Dell said, numerous dirt bikes, ATVs, and motorcycles were seen "riding recklessly in the area."

"The New Haven Police Department remains committed to ensuring public safety and will
continue to enforce traffic regulations to address illegal dirt bike and ATV activities," Dell said. "The collaboration between officers, detectives, and the community is vital in curbing these
dangerous behaviors and promoting safe streets for all residents."