New York City officials are warning a group of masked dirt bike riders that arrests may be forthcoming after video captured a chaotic confrontation in which several riders surrounded and attacked a vehicle on a busy Staten Island roadway.
The warning follows a Wednesday incident on Richmond Avenue in Staten Island’s Bulls Head neighborhood. Video showed several masked riders surrounding a white SUV stopped at a traffic light.
In video obtained by News Media, multiple individuals appeared to kick and hit the SUV, while another appeared to throw an object at the vehicle. As the driver tried to get away, the SUV appeared to run over a dirt bike positioned in front of it.
Masked dirt bike riders surrounded a white SUV on Staten Island’s Richmond Avenue, with several individuals appearing to kick and strike the vehicle. (Facebook/Staten Island Bad Parking & Driving)
At a news conference Thursday, NYPD Assistant Chief John Buttacavoli said investigators were collecting information and working to identify those involved.
“We know who you are, and you will be getting a knock on your door very soon,” Buttacavoli said, stressing that the conduct had moved beyond a quality-of-life issue and into potential criminal activity.
“It stops here. We’re taking action,” he added.
Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon also denounced the riders, saying they were intimidating motorists and endangering people who had done nothing wrong.
“Like a plague of locusts, they descend upon drivers who are just going about their business here on Staten Island,” McMahon said. “They’re jackals, they’re teenage terrorists, and it’s not going to be tolerated here in our borough.”
McMahon called the behavior “simply outrageous” and said officials were not aware of anyone suffering serious injuries.
According to Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, Wednesday’s confrontation reflects a larger pattern of dangerous behavior involving motorized bikes.
Fossella described the riders as a “bunch of punks who are literally terrorizing drivers” as residents tried to go about their daily lives.
“Enough. This game is over,” Fossella said.
The borough president also urged parents to recognize that their children could be placing innocent motorists in danger.
NYPD Assistant Chief John Buttacavoli said police were working to identify the masked dirt bike riders who swarmed a vehicle on Staten Island. (Staten Island District Attorney’s Office)
“Your kid is terrorizing innocent people when they’re just going about their business. It’s wrong, and it needs to stop,” Fossella said.
McMahon cautioned that parents could face legal or financial consequences if their children use illegal motorized vehicles to intimidate or injure others. That could include civil liability if someone is hurt.
“Parents also must take responsibility for their children,” McMahon’s office said in a separate statement.
Buttacavoli said police have created a task force to address the issue and will continue seizing illegally operated motorized bikes. Officers have already identified several people and confiscated numerous bikes this year, he said.
Staten Island officials addressed a confrontation involving masked dirt bike riders and an SUV during a news conference. (Staten Island District Attorney’s Office)
The NYPD reminded residents that certain motorized vehicles must be registered and insured and may only be operated by licensed drivers.
State Assemblyman Mike Reilly, R-Staten Island, plans to introduce legislation in January that would make parents financially responsible when minors are caught recklessly operating certain motorized vehicles, according to the New York Post.
The proposed measure would establish fines ranging from $250 to $1,500, the newspaper reported.
The investigation remains active, and no arrests have been announced.