Middlesex Police Charge 6 Adults, 3 Juveniles After Night Of Reckless Riding

MIDDLESEX, NJ — Police have charged six adults and three juveniles in connection with two separate eluding incidents that occurred within hours of each other on May 2, authorities said Thursday.

In the first incident, around 6:02 p.m., Officer Christian Dulin observed a group of ATVs and dirt bikes traveling westbound on Bound Brook Road near Seventh Street. The vehicles had no license plates, and operators were seen failing to maintain their lanes, performing stunts and running red lights at Mountain Avenue and Greenbrook Road. The operators refused Dulin's orders to stop and continued riding recklessly through the borough.

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Detective Scott Mulford's follow-up investigation identified six adult males, all charged with eluding, a second-degree crime, for knowingly refusing lawful police orders to stop while operating vehicles in a manner that created a risk of death or injury:

• Eric Rodriguez, 30, of Perth Amboy
• Breidy Taveras, 34, of New Brunswick
• Justice P. Philip, 27, of Somerset
• Derek E. Gomez, 25, of New Brunswick
• Christian J. Perez, 30, of East Stroudsburg, Pa.
• Jesus A. Vega, 43, of New Brunswick.

Later that evening, at approximately 8:13 p.m., Officer James Morley responded to the QuickChek at 107 Harris Ave. after multiple reports of juveniles riding bicycles recklessly in and out of traffic. Morley found the group and observed several riders without helmets, operating without lights, performing stunts and riding dangerously. When officers attempted to stop them, the juveniles fled through the grounds of Von E. Mauger Middle School and along Union Avenue, Bound Brook Road and surrounding streets.

Detective Paul Cerreto's investigation identified three juvenile operators, charged on juvenile delinquency complaints with resisting arrest, a fourth-degree crime:

• A 16-year-old male from Manville
• A 14-year-old male from South Bound Brook
• A 13-year-old male from New Brunswick

"The reckless actions displayed during these incidents posed a serious danger to motorists, pedestrians, and our community as a whole," Chief Matthew P. Geist said. "Refusing lawful police orders while operating vehicles or bicycles in such a hazardous manner will not be tolerated in Middlesex Borough."

Both investigations remain active. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Mulford at (732) 356-1900, ext. 359, or Det. Cerreto at (732) 356-1900, ext. 366.

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