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14 charged in Walpole dirt-bike crackdown
Police say group has ties to Boston
By J.D. Capelouto
Globe Correspondent

Fourteen people from the Boston area were arrested in Walpole Sunday for allegedly being part of a group that recklessly rides off-road dirt bikes through the streets of Boston and Walpole, police said.

The mass arrest took place on Renmar Avenue in Walpole, a dead-end street where the suspects practice, Walpole Police Chief John Carmichael said. Police believe the group then drives to Boston and speeds through busy streets, around cars, and through red lights, Carmichael said.

Walpole police have received several complaints about the bikers, he said. “We’ve been dealing with that group for a couple of years now,’’ Carmichael said.

Police believe the suspects have ties to a group named Boston Bike Life.

The group usually practices on Renmar Avenue on Sundays, Carmichael said, adding that it varies in size but at times numbers more than 200.

“This wide sweeping investigation was in direct response to numerous complaints from the communities we serve,’’ Boston Police Commissioner Williams Evans said in a statement. “I would like to thank all of the agencies involved who helped us take these dangerous operators off the streets. We will continue to take any and all steps necessary to ensure the safety of the law-abiding citizens of Boston.’’

Two of the individuals arrested were juveniles, Carmichael said. The other suspects range from 20 to 26 years old. The 14 people were arrested on numerous motor vehicle charges, police said.

In addition to the arrests, seven people were summonsed to court.

Officers impounded six cars along with 11 dirt bikes and ATVs. Some had obliterated serial numbers and may have been stolen, Carmichael said.

The fourteen appeared Monday in Wrentham District Court and were all released on personal recognizance, according to Bristol District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn’s office. They were ordered to stay away from Renmar Avenue and not to operate without a license, registration, or insurance, prosecutors said. They are scheduled to return to court on July 16.

Of those arrested, one was transported on a juvenile probation warrant and another will report to a Superior Court probation office, prosecutors said. Their court appearances are scheduled for July 20 and June 8 in Wrentham District Court.

J.D. Capelouto can be reached at jd.capelouto@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @jd-capelouto.