WILMINGTON, DE — A 40-year-old man faces charges after Wilmington police allege he illegally operated a four-wheel ATV on a city street.
Police said an officer with the Special Operations Division Traffic Unit was in the 300 block of West 23rd Street at about 11:09 a.m. Oct. 2 when the officer observed an ATV allegedly being operated illegally.
The officer stopped the vehicle and identified its operator as Lewis Hagler, 40, according to police.
Hagler was charged with offenses related to the off-highway vehicle. Police also seized the ATV pending further proceedings.
Under Wilmington regulations, off-highway vehicles, including ATVs and dirt bikes, may not be operated on city streets, sidewalks or rights-of-way. Police said such vehicles possessed within Wilmington also must be registered with the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles and, when not being lawfully used, secured with a wheel lock or another immobilization device.
Violations of the city ordinance can carry a $2,000 civil fine in addition to other applicable penalties. Under certain circumstances, police may also confiscate an off-highway vehicle.
Anyone with information about the illegal operation or storage of off-highway vehicles can contact Cpl. Keith Johnson of the Wilmington Police Department’s Special Operations Division Traffic Unit at 302-571-4415 or Keith.Johnson@cj.state.de.us. The department can also be reached at 302-654-5151, or anonymous information can be provided through its crime tip hotline at 302-576-3990.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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