Cranston Continues Crackdown on ATVS, Dirt Bikes

CRANSTON, RI — Two Providence men were arrested earlier this week after a large group of dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles rode through the city. Both Cranston and Providence are cracking down on these types of vehicles, which law enforcement call a public menace.

Just before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, a member of the public reported a group of about 60 dirt bikes and ATVs on Narragansett Boulevard in Providence, heading into Cranston. Many were driving recklessly, the person told police.

An officer were sent to find the group, catching up with them in the 1000 block of the road. Several riders were parked across the street, police said, as others fueled up at an adjacent gas station. When the officer parked in the street, some riders began circling his cruiser, according to police, before the group turned onto Montgomery Avenue, heading west towards Broad Street.

The group "was driving recklessly with complete disregard for public safety," police said, with some driving onto the sidewalk and speeding up for wheelies. The officer following the group turned on his lights and sirens, and a second officer was called in to assist. According to police, the riders fanned out across the road, heading towards the second officer.

As the group reached the second cruiser, the riders skidded to a stop, turning abruptly and speeding away in the opposite direction. Two of the riders, one on a black ATV and the other on a white Yamaha dirt bike, were later arrested. Neither vehicle was registered or considered street legal.

The man on the white bike, later identified as Chevin Gobern, 28, skidded on a patch of sand and lost control of his bike. One of the officers tried to stop him once he hit the ground, but Gobern pushed him and ran away, police said. As the officer chased him, the driver of the ATV, Isiah Allen, 23, rode alongside him, pushing him. Gobern jumped onto the back of the ATV, and the pair drove away.

After the officer went back to the abandoned bike, other riders surrounded him, police said, with one lifting his shirt to show a gun in his waistband.

Other officers caught up with Gobern and Allen on the ATV on Elmwood Avenue, before they turned onto the Route 10 on-ramp. An officer pulled in front of the ATV and the driver sped up, hitting the cruiser. Although both ran away, police caught up with them and both were arrested "after a brief struggle," police said.

Both the Yamaha bike and ATV were taken to Cranston police headquarters, where they will be turned over to the city under Mayor Kenneth Hopkin's new executive order.

Allen was charged with reckless driving and eluding a police officer, obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct. His license is suspended, police said, and his bail was set at $1,000 with surety relating to a previous charge. Gobern was charged with resisting arrest, and had a valid license but not a motorcycle endorsement. His bail was set at $5,000 with surety as a bail violator of a previous Supreme Court case. Both were also issued several traffic violations.

"This incident illustrates that some individuals still haven't received the message that if you come into Cranston and operate an unregistered vehicle with complete disregard for public safety, we will arrest you and confiscate your machine," Col. Michael Winquist said. "It is clear from previous incidents that many of these individuals have no issue attempting to intimidate and assault law enforcement members, and some riders are not shy to show they are armed. Our roadways will not be held hostage by individuals who choose to break the law and jeopardize the safety of law-abiding citizens. We will dedicate whatever resources necessary to address this issue as the weather becomes warmer and there is an increase in vehicle and pedestrian traffic."