Baltimore Police target gas stations aiding illegal dirt bike riders

Baltimore Police are cracking down on illegal dirt bike riders. Police say part of the plan includes going after gas stations that sell riders gas illegally.

Fox45 News cameras caught a few of those illegal dirt bikes Friday buzzing around the Carrol gas station on Reisterstown Road at Druid Park Drive.

15-year-old Kenny was on his bike with his face covered. We stopped him and he talked about his admitted illegal participation in what's become, for some, a familiar summer nuisance.

The first question for Kenny was, why does he do it?

"It's a stress reliever for us...because it helps people get off the corners and stuff (from) selling drugs. You get on a bike, you want to get off the corner. And it's fun, nobody really don't get hurt," said Kenny.

But police say they are cracking down on the activity.

"(We) did a search and seizure warrant and we confiscated several (illegal dirt bikes) the other day," said Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley.

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Worley spoke Wednesday about his priority enforcement initiative--which is going after those gas stations that allow illegal dirt bike riders to buy fuel for their bikes. That's illegal and carries a $500 fine.

"There's a couple (of stations) that we know, we're going to go give them a warning and tell them listen, if you allow these vehicles to fuel at your gas station, we're going to come back. We're going to have it on video, we're going to give you a citation and you'll have to answer for it," said Worley.

Our cameras caught a group of riders filling up their tanks at the Carrol station some time ago.

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Friday, we looked for the station's owner. The manager, Mohamed Abo, came out and spoke to us.

Reporter: "We've seen (illegal dirt bike riders) buy gas here."

Abo (station manager): "No, no. Once we see anybody here we have the control inside, we stop the pump outside. So, it is not allowed to pump any gas."

Reporter:"Have you ever been fined."

Abo (station manager): "No, no, because we always, like I say, we always try to help."

Help police control the illegal bikes.

"I mean if y'all give us a place to ride, then we won't do it on the streets, but y'all ain't never give us a place," said Kenny.

Police want to hear from you if you have any information regarding dirt bike offenders, storage locations, or gas stations selling fuel. Police have a Dirt Bike tip line number: 443-902-4474.