Dozens of arrests were made after ATV and dirt bike riders swarmed South Florida roadways over the Presidents' Day weekend, authorities said.
The Miami-Dade Police Department announced Sunday that they have arrested 40 people, seized 14 firearms and recovered five stolen vehicles during an operation to crackdown on "rideouts."
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“Operating an ATV or other off-road vehicle on a public road or highway is illegal. Failure to obey traffic laws or lawful orders from a police officer will result in citations, fines and in some cases arrest," the department said in a statement Saturday. "These vehicles are also subject to impounding. Driving on our roadways is a privilege that should not be abused.”
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Cellphone video showed what looked like hundreds of riders shutting down a portion of the Dolphin Expressway Saturday night, some on dirt bikes, others on ATVs.
The crowd was so large, it brought traffic to a complete standstill.
On Friday night, another video showed a group of riders shutting down traffic in another area.
Police released photos of some of the weapons they seized during the operation.
Last month, dozens of arrests were made and several ATVs and dirt bikes were impounded over the holiday weekend in Miami-Dade during a traffic operation that coincided with the annual "MLK Rideout," police said.
With many riders back on the road this weekend, MDPD said police units, along with local and state partners have been and will continue to patrol areas in an effort to deter the riders and/or detain offenders.
The department added that safety remains the top priority and units will engage anyone who commits an infraction and can be taken into custody without jeopardizing the well being of other motorists and pedestrians.
