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Durham Police Identifies 43 Individuals in Connection with Recent Illegal Dirt Bike Activity

Phyllis Coley @phyllis_coley

Durham, NC – The Durham Police Department has identified 43 individuals and filed more than 700 charges in connection with illegal dirt bike activity that occurred between June 3-4, 2023 in the City of Durham.

These charges were filed as part of Operation Dismount, a multi-jurisdictional task force created by Durham Police in June 2023 to address reckless and unlawful dirt bike activity.

Between June 3-4, 2023, more than 200 riders of motorcycles, scooters, and non-street legal dirt bikes and ATVs gathered and took over public streets and highways in Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill over the course of those two days. On Sunday, June 4th, officers responded to a call of more than 200 dirt bikes in the area of Garrett Road and Hope Valley Road in Durham. The dirt bike and ATV riders could be seen recklessly riding their dirt bikes on public roads which put thousands of lawful motorists at risk. The riders also created a public disturbance in the area as they attempted to surround responding DPD officers, damaged a police vehicle, threw rocks at another vehicle, spit on a uniformed officer, and ran over one officer’s foot with a motorcycle. In addition, these dirt bike riders were also responsible for driving inside a gas station, stealing merchandise from the store, and attempting to retake a stolen dirt bike after it was recovered by officers.

Through the collaborative efforts of investigators from the Durham Police Department, the Raleigh Police Department, the Chapel Hill Police Department, and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, more than 1,000 charges have been filed among the individuals identified as having participated in the illegal dirt bike activity between June 3rd and June 4th. The riders face various charges which include operating an ATV on a street, reckless driving, unregistered motor vehicle, and no operator’s license. A full list of the individuals charged and their charges can be found HERE.

Information on the 43 Individuals Identified in June 3rd– 4th Incidents

  •         41 suspects are adults
  •         One juvenile suspect has been charged, charges are still pending against a second juvenile suspect.
  •         Only 7 of the individuals reside in Durham and a majority do not live in impacted municipalities
  •         2 dirt bikes impounded 

Ongoing Efforts by Operation Dismount

Operation Dismount was formed by the Durham Police Department in June 2023 in response to a steady increase in unlawful and reckless illegal dirt bike activity in Durham and surrounding cities in recent years.

The Durham Police Department will continue to utilize our resources to address the problem and work with other agencies on the task force. The task force includes the following agencies: Durham County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Central University Police Department, Duke University Police Department, Chapel Hill Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Durham County Emergency Management, and the Durham County District Attorney’s Office.

Below are ongoing efforts by DPD to address the problem of illegal dirt-bike activity:

  •         Greater patrol enforcement of illegal dirt bike and ATV activity.

For example, the Durham Police Department has charged 11 other individuals who were not involved in the June 3rd – 4th incidents with multiple N.C.G.S. Chapter 20 Motor Vehicle Law misdemeanors and infractions. A total of 5 dirt bikes and 4 guns were seized in connection to these cases. We have attached pictures of the dirt bikes that have been seized to this email. Additional non-street legal bikes have been seized by our task force partners.

  •         Educating the public through social media about the laws governing dirt bikes and ATVs.
  •         Surveying other law enforcement agencies across the country to identify effective strategies for curtailing illegal dirt bike and ATV activity.
  •         Engaging a variety of stakeholders in educative and preventative dialogue.
  •         Adding a new reporting form for community members to share information, pictures, and videos related to illegal dirt bike and ATV activity that can be found at the following link: https://www.durhamnc.gov/FormCenter/Police-Department-13/Dirt-Bike-and-ATV-Information-350

The Durham Police Department is asking the public to call the police or submit any information or visual images that they have related to this illegal activity. Information from the public has helped investigators file charges against those responsible for this activity. While we ask that you take photos and videos of the dirt bike activity, we ask that you do it safely. Do not approach these dirt bike riders and don’t attempt to take photos or film the riders while you are driving.

In addition to submitting information online, you can also call Sgt. J. Wagstaff at 919-560-4582 ext. 29559. You may also call our non-emergency number, 919-560-4600 or 911. Be ready to provide your location, a detailed description of the violator(s), and their direction of travel.