A person was arrested in a case involving a dirt bike.
According to the Monroe Public Safety Department, officers responded to that intersection after receiving complaints about a dirt bike being operated recklessly. When they arrived, they observed the bike traveling at excessive speeds and weaving erratically through the area. Witnesses told officers the rider had aimed the bike at three people walking on the sidewalk, who had to move quickly to avoid being struck.
Once officers moved in, the rider tried to flee rather than stop, the department said. An officer managed to remove the key from the dirt bike, cutting off any chance for the teen to ride away from the scene. The suspect then resisted officers during the arrest, refusing repeated commands before he was finally taken into custody.
Charges Stack Up From Street to Jail Cell
The trouble didn't end at the scene. After he was transported to Monroe County Jail, the suspect resisted correctional officers again during the booking process, according to the department's account. Officers also recovered suspected marijuana and alcohol during the encounter, and the dirt bike itself was impounded because of improper registration.
Monroe Public Safety is seeking a long list of charges against the teen: reckless driving, attempted fleeing and eluding, resisting and obstructing, felonious assault, improper registration or an improper license plate, operating without a motorcycle endorsement, and open intoxicants. The case has been forwarded to the Monroe County Prosecutor's Office for review.
The felonious assault charge carries real weight under Michigan law. Under MCL 750.82, felonious assault — assault with a dangerous weapon — is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and a $2,000 fine, according to Shelton Legal Services. The allegation is that the teen steered the bike toward pedestrians.
What the Other Charges Could Mean
The attempted fleeing and eluding charge also carries serious exposure. Under Michigan Vehicle Code MCL 257.602a, attempting to flee a uniformed officer in an identified police vehicle is a felony carrying up to two years in prison for a fourth-degree offense, or up to five years if it happens in a 35 mph or lower speed zone, according to the Michigan Legislature.
Resisting and obstructing is among the charges being sought in the case.
A first alcohol minor-in-possession violation is handled differently than felony counts. It is a civil infraction with a fine of up to $100, according to Ben Hall Law.
Why the Dirt Bike Never Belonged on the Road
Roadway use may involve conversion equipment and motorcycle endorsements. Even on routes where local ordinances permit ORV travel, the vehicles are limited to 25 mph, must travel single file on the far right shoulder, and must display lighted headfights and taillights under Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Separately, operating a vehicle with improper, altered, or missing registration plates is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $100 fine under MCL 257.256, per Monroe County Lawyers. The open intoxicants charge stems from MCL 257.624a, which makes transporting or possessing open alcohol containers in a vehicle on a public street or parking area a misdemeanor carrying fines, community service, and driving-record points, according to the State of Michigan.
Monroe's own rules have also tightened around non-traditional vehicles. The city enacted Ordinance 26-006 earlier this year to clarify local rules on micromobility and non-traditional motorized vehicles, enforcing sidewalk bans in commercial areas and requiring riders to yield right-of-way to pedestrians, according to the City of Monroe.
In its release, Monroe Public Safety reminded residents that dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles may not operate on public roadways unless properly equipped and legally authorized for roadway use. The department said illegal and reckless operation of off-road vehicles creates safety risks for riders, motorists, and pedestrians alike, and warned that violators may face citations, arrest, and other enforcement action.
