Salem Police Seize Scooter As Part Of North Shore Safety Crackdown

SALEM, MA — Salem police charged an 18-year-old with negligent operation and seized his scooter Saturday as part of a crackdown on the erratic and dangerous operation of motorcycles, mopeds, scooters and dirt bikes this summer.

Police said the scooter operator was seen driving on the wrong side of Congress Street into oncoming traffic and doing a "wheelie" late Saturday afternoon. Police said when an officer approached the operator was approached he fled at a high rate of speed.

Police said they did not pursue the operator, but tracked him to his home through his license plate. When he arrived, police seized the scooter and charged Elian Sanchez, 18, with failure to stop for police, negligent operation, marked lanes violation and a passing violation.

"Erratic operation of bicycles, motor scooters and motorcycles is extremely dangerous to the operator, pedestrians and others using the roadways," Salem police said in a statement to Patch. "The Salem Police Department will continue to address the problem through strict enforcement and coordination with area police departments."

(Also on Patch: North Shore Police Warn Bikers Of Erratic Riding Dangers, Consequences)

North Shore police chiefs issued a joint statement earlier this month condemning careless and dangerous driving and calling on parents to talk with their children who engage in both individual and collective efforts to disrupt traffic, scare pedestrians and evade police.

Salem police ask that residents who witness such behavior report them at 978-744-1212.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)