Police: Multiple people arrested for 'driving erratically' on ATVs, dirt bikes across Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said they arrested several people who were driving erratically across Charlotte on ATVs and dirt bikes, potentially interrupting All-Star Weekend celebrations.

According to CMPD, they received several calls from drivers complaining about 70 dirt bikes and ATVs on the streets of Charlotte Saturday afternoon.

Some of the areas where the bikers traveled were Barrington Drive, Morehead Street, Freedom Drive, Wilkinson Boulevard, Statesville Road, Peachtree Road, Gibbon Road, Nevin Road and Oakdale Road, as well as the streets around South Park Mall.

Resident Dwayne Hunt said he has lived along Peachtree Road for years. He said he saw dirt bikes and ATVs at least 50 deep coming down his street.

"I was sitting here watching TV and I heard all the motorcycles," Hunt said. "I looked out and they was just coming up the street, four-wheelers standing up, they just be standing up, just coming down the road.

Hunt said groups like this are a common occurance in the neighborhood and is sick of it.

"I think it's very dangerous, taking over the street like that. It's like when they come through, 'This is our street,' they take over," Hunt said.

Multiple emergency units collaborated and were able to stop several riders around 3 p.m. on Oakdale Road in northwest Charlotte.

"We utilized some technology and were able to follow them at a safe distance," said CMPD Lt. Brad Koch.

The following were arrested: 

• Christian Camacho, 26, charged with trespass, careless and reckless driving, and failure to register a motor vehicle
• Tyler Camacho, 20, charged with trespass, careless and reckless driving, and failure to register a motor vehicle
• Steven Arruda, 24, charged with resisting/delaying/obstructing a law enforcement officer

The following were issued North Carolina Uniform Citations:

• Lazarius Burks, 20, cited for careless and reckless driving
• Dee Williams, 22, cited for careless and reckless driving
• Ford Tate, 28, cited for careless and reckless driving

Many of the riders are from out of the state, according to police. Christian and and Tyler Camacho are from Orlando, Florida and Arruda is from New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Officers said they were prepared for the bikers to come into town during the NBA All-Star Weekend after monitoring several social media accounts.

"We were aware through some monitoring of social media that this might be an issue, that these individuals were planning to come to Charlotte, to at least, at a very minimum, disrupt, or attempt to disrupt the festivities," said Koch.

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Channel 9 has reported on this problem for years.

Previously, bikers and ATV riders have been spotted driving into oncoming lanes and performing stunts for more than a mile through uptown with no license plates.

Neighbors said they saw the riders every two to three days each week and sometimes in packs of nearly 20 riders.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is asking anyone with information about this incident to call 911 or contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or visit the website.

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

Cox Media Group