Three adults arrested in pocket bike crackdown, police say
Officers detained juveniles riding pocket bikes near Edinger and Bolsa Chica; two parents and a motorist face charges, police said.
Three adults were arrested in connection with a large group of juvenile pocket bike riders streaming into Huntington Beach over the weekend, authorities said Sunday. The arrests were made at about 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, in the area of Edinger Avenue and Bolsa Chica Street, according to a Huntington Beach Police Department watch commander.
Officers responded to multiple calls on Sept. 5 about reckless driving after a large group of pocket bike riders entered the city, the Huntington Beach Police Department said in a Facebook post. Officers were dispatched to the location in response to the calls, according to a police statement.
When officers arrived, most of the riders took off before officers could make contact. "When officers responded, most of the riders took off before officers could make contact. But not everyone got away," the statement said. A handful of riders stayed behind long enough for officers to make contact at the scene, leading to a string of arrests and citations.
Officers detained two juveniles driving pocket bikes, along with their mother, who police said knowingly allowed her kids to drive recklessly despite the risk of serious injury or death. She was arrested for child endangerment. The mother was detained at the scene along with the two children, authorities said.
Police also said a man was taken into custody after falling from his pocket bike during the incident. He was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving and driving on a suspended license.
"But we didn't stop there," the police statement said. A juvenile arrived on a pocket bike while officers were conducting their investigation. The juvenile's father had encouraged the reckless activity and was subsequently arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Multiple pocket bikes were impounded during the operation. No further information was provided.
The department's post also drew online reaction. Commenters thanked police for cracking down on what they called a genuine nuisance in the community, while others suggested police help riders organize a proper, safety-focused club so people could enjoy the hobby responsibly.
By the end of the operation, three adults were arrested, two additional juvenile riders were cited and released, and multiple pocket bikes were impounded. The department said the response was meant to send a clear message that reckless riding will not be dismissed as harmless fun. "We're not going to shrug off reckless driving/riding as 'just kids having fun,'" the department said in its post. "When driving/riding becomes dangerous, people can get seriously hurt or worse. We take that seriously, and so should you."
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