Six teenage e-bike riders have been arrested after engaging in dangerous riding and traffic-related offending across the Adelaide CBD this afternoon.
Police were called to West Terrace, Adelaide, just after 11.30am on Sunday 16 August following reports that a large group of e-bike riders were blocking traffic, behaving aggressively towards other road users, damaging vehicles and riding recklessly.
Patrols responded and located the group before tracking them to Victoria Park, where they were involved in a number of near misses with pedestrians.
PolAir was called in to assist and monitored the group's movements throughout the city as they continued to disregard road rules, including riding through multiple red lights.
One rider was arrested at 12.40pm after attempting to hide in a car park on Addie Place, Adelaide, while the remainder of the group continued towards the South Parklands and out of the CBD.
PolAir continued to monitor the riders while patrols coordinated arrests across several locations.
One rider was cornered by patrols in the western suburbs, while another abandoned his e-bike near the southern side of Adelaide Airport and attempted to flee on foot before being arrested by Security Response Section and Traffic officers.
Three other riders were subsequently tracked to a house in Malvern and arrested.
Police examined the six e-bikes and found they had all been illegally modified, resulting in them being classified as motorcycles under South Australian legislation. The e-bikes were impounded for 28 days.
Three boys aged 14, two boys aged 15 and a 16-year-old boy have been charged with a range of offences, including failing to stop for police, driving unlicensed, acts to endanger life, property damage and driving at a dangerous speed.
The teenagers were granted bail and will appear in the Adelaide Youth Court in October.
Investigations are continuing to identify other riders involved in the incident.
Anyone who witnessed the offending, has dashcam footage, or had their vehicle damaged is urged to contact Crime Stoppers online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or free call 1800 333 000 and quote reference 213462 (Operation Volt).
Police will not tolerate the use of illegally modified e-bikes in a manner that endangers pedestrians, motorists and other road users.
Today's arrests demonstrate SAPOL's ability to identify, track and apprehend offenders who choose to disregard road rules and place the community at risk. Riders who engage in this type of behaviour can expect to be arrested and prosecuted.
