The incident took place on Tuesday at 18:00 in Broad Street, just a block south of Washington Avenue.
The video shows an ATV rider assaulting a motorist and then running back to his ATV to retrieve a gun. Someone asked the gunman to put it down. He terrorized the victim with the help of the rest of the group.
The altercation allegedly started when a group of ATV riders stopped briefly in traffic, causing the vehicle behind them to hit one of the bikes.
According to a police report, the victim got out of his vehicle to see if the motorcycle operator was injured. The male on the bike became hostile and demanded damages.
The other motorcycles surrounded the victim’s car while the motorcyclist assaulted him. The victim was able to get back into his vehicle and lock the doors.
However, the assault continued. The ATV riders surrounded the vehicle and threw trash cans and trash cans, seriously damaging the car.
Thursday night, police say they arrested the suspect. He was not formally charged.
“Like most, I was shocked and also sick about the extreme lawlessness I saw in the video,” said Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw. “The responsible individual is in custody and I want to thank our detectives for their quick work in identifying the suspect. I also want to recover the victims of this senseless assault quickly and completely.”
The 25-year-old victim sustained minor injuries.
“I do not like it at all. It’s sick,” said Charlotte Haley of North Philadelphia. “If you’m going to ride your dirt bike, ride it somewhere in Fairmount Park.”
Parrie Brooks of East Falls agrees, saying, “The noise is scary for an older citizen.”
Owning ATVs and dirt bikes is legal, but it is illegal to drive in city streets.
Philadelphia police have a policy of not being prosecuted unless there is a major threat to the public.
Traffic tickets with heavy fines and seizure of vehicles are the current fines, officials say.
The mayor’s office announced this statement on Thursday which reads:
“The safety of pedestrians and motorists is of the utmost importance, and our administration takes this issue very seriously. Dirt bikes and ATVs are illegal to work in Philadelphia streets. Tickets can be offered and vehicles confiscated. Everyone who observes this type of activity , or what information regarding planned excursions is encouraged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department by calling or texting 215-686 TIPS The police succeed in confiscating a large number of dirt bikes, ATVs and scooters as part of their efforts to reduce this illegal activity and will continue to do so. ‘
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