A group of dirt bikers was tearing up the area around Shockoe Bottom, heading the wrong way down streets, ignoring lights, traffic signs and sometimes cutting across private yards, police said.
Several witnesses complained to law enforcement. One of them was Mayor Levar Stoney.
Interim Chief of Police Rick Edwards was notified by the mayor, who reported that he saw the group of reckless bikers heading westbound from the Shockoe Bottom area at around 6 p.m. Thursday.
Edwards notified the on-duty watch commander who fielded similar reports of reckless driving across the city and organized a response to stop the bikers.
Three bikers — two adults and one juvenile — were charged with reckless driving and felony eluding.
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In a statement issued Friday, police said the bikers were going the wrong way on one-way streets, zooming against the flow of traffic near Richmond Highway and Belvidere Street, and also throttled on sidewalks and through yards of private properties, often ignoring stop signs and traffic lights.
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RPD’s 1st Precinct Focus Mission Team officers arrived in the area and, with the assistance of the Metro Aviation Unit, were able to find the group of dirt bike operators continuing to drive into Chesterfield County toward Chippenham Parkway.
With help from Chesterfield police and Virginia State Police, three of the four bikers were apprehended and arrested on the 9000 block of Knightsbridge Road in Chesterfield.
The fourth suspect fled on foot and was not apprehended, according to police. Four dirt bikes were seized, along with a stolen firearm.
Police discovered this firearm after arresting three of four suspects they say were driving reckless on the streets of Richmond. Rico Thomas, 18, James Brown, 18, and a third unnamed juvenile, all of Hopewell, were charged with reckless driving and felony eluding.
These two dirt bikes were among four seized by the Richmond Police Department after a group of motorcyclists was pursued from Shockoe Bottom to Chesterfield County.
The suspects include Rico Thomas, 18, James Brown, 18, and a third unnamed juvenile, all from Hopewell.
In a statement, Richmond police attributed the successful arrests in part to the collaborative efforts among the various law enforcement agencies.
From the Archives: Richmond Police Mounted Unit
Four of Richmond's policemen found the old horse watering fountain to their mounts' liking in its new spot at the Chamberlayne-Leigh Street triangle. It was moved from Adams and Broad Streets when improvements were made to that corner, and was filled with water, finally, this week. The policemen: (left to right) H. E. Beasley, W. L. Frick, W. J. Simcoe and C. E. Minter.
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08-15-1966 (cutline): Patrolman J. L. Carlton (left), W. L. Frick in Old Stable. City has had problems obtaining new quarters for mounted squad.
01-13-1965 (cutline): Police stable at Howitzers Armory, used since 1941, is to be vacated. City officials are seeking site and plan to construct new facility.
11-30-1967 (cutline): A police horse tied up to a signal light pole at 9th and Marshall Steets seems to be trying to decide whether to push the button and cross the street. He didnt, however, but waited until his master, Lt. H. D. Chadick, returned from duties at police headquarters across the street.
09-07-1979 (cutline): The life of a policeman's horse is one of many temptations for Moose, ridden by Officer Ralph K. Ballowe. Moose is constantly under the eye of the law, but how is a horse expected to pass up a basketful of goodies such as those of the 17th Street Market? Sometimes the fruit sellers solve Moose's problems by slipping him an apple or two.
02-18-1986 (cutline): Saddles and tack lay ready for the day to start.
12-04-1969 (cutline): Little girl pets Jasper, horse of Patrolman Jame L. Carlton.
09-28-1954 (cutline): A police department mount stands guard over (and in) a "no parking" zone outside the Hotel Richmond today, while officer in sight directed traffic at the entrance of Capitol Square. No tickets were in evidence when the picture was taken.
07-23-1977 (cutline): "Rusy," the Bureau of Police's prize horse, bites the ribbon to open the free parking stall in the First & Merchants Copr. Shockoe Parking Deck at 12th and Cary Streets. Police officer Hal Flood is helping Rusty cut the ribbon. The horse has been on the police force for more than six years and has worked with Flood for 2 1/2 years. His beat is the Shockoe Slip area, from Eighth to 14th Street and from the State Capitol to Canal. but he spends most of his time between 12th and 13th and Cary and Main Streets.
02-18-1986 (cutline): Diamond gets his trim before his day begins patroling the streets of Richmond.
01-17-1966 (cutline): Police Bureau's Mounted Squad gathers on Grace Street during Inauguration Day. Mills Godwin was to become Virginia's Governor.
