‘Bike Life’ Bust On I-93 Unofficially Kicks Off Spring In Boston
By Evan Lips | February 26, 2018, 17:59 EST
BOSTON — The Massachusetts State Police has released the names of seven adult male riders arrested Saturday evening, including the identity of a Randolph man shot in the leg, who they say tied up traffic by tearing across the city and onto Interstate 93, forming a convoy of unregistered and uninsured ATVs and motor-bikes.
The “#BikeLife” movement, as it is known on social media, “ain’t a crime, it’s a way of life,” its participants claim, as stated in the description section of this YouTube video from New Haven, Connecticut:
Yet in Boston, riders apparently discovered the hard way that while the “bike life” lifestyle may be thriving on city thoroughfares and backstreets, the fun and mayhem can quickly come to a screeching halt on highways and expressways, where state troopers call the shots and Jersey-barrier-bound highways and highway exits can be blockaded at a moment’s notice.
Such was the case Saturday at Interstate 93’s Exit 18 in Roxbury, where State Police set up a barricade after hearing reports from police in Boston and in Cambridge about the group’s activity. According to the Boston Herald, between 25 and 35 riders scrambled to avoid the police, attempting to hop barriers and in some instances driving into oncoming traffic.
Aderito Monteiro, 28, of Randolph, was unarmed when he “suffered a minor foot injury after a trooper discharged his weapon during the incident,” State Police said in a written statement.
Monteiro, who was treated “for a small laceration to his foot” at nearby Boston Medical Center, was released from the hospital that same evening and was charged with negligent driving, failure to stop for police, disorderly conduct, a marked lanes violation, driving an unregistered ATV, and driving an uninsured ATV.
Video of the ride’s abrupt end has made its way online:
Additional video was also posted of the group’s off-highway ride through Boston and Cambridge:
Riders are known for wearing black and red masks or towels as a means to mask their identities. Participants are also known for claiming the rides are part of a “guns-down-bikes-up” nonviolence movement.
According to the Boston Herald, “several” riders managed to elude the police.
In addition to Monteiro, the people arrested Saturday night by Massachusetts State Police following their dangerous and reckless operation of motorcycles and ATVs on Route 93 are identified as follows:
Christopher Cabassa, 31, of Lawrence, charged with: failure to stop for police; negligent operation; disorderly conduct; wrong way violation on a state highway; marked lanes violation; unlicensed operation; no inspection sticker; resisting arrest; and careless operation in a tunnel.
William Suliveras, 29, of Methuen, charged with: failure to stop for police; negligent operation; disorderly conduct; wrong way violation on a state highway; marked lanes violation; resisting arrest; and careless operation in a tunnel.
Shane Fein, 21, of North Attleborough, charged with: failure to stop for police; negligent operation; disorderly conduct; marked lanes violation; driving an unregistered motor vehicle; driving an uninsured motor vehicle; unlicensed operation; wrong way violation on a state highway; and careless operation in a tunnel.
Gustavo Arceno-Rosa, 22, of Saugus, charged with: failure to stop for police; negligent operation; disorderly conduct; marked lanes violation; driving an unregistered motor vehicle; wrong way violation on a state highway; and careless operation in a tunnel.
Josue Hidalgo, 23, of Worcester, charged with: disorderly conduct; resisting arrest; and conduct endangering a person or property.
Edgar Dos Santos Jr., 30, of Quincy, charged with: failure to stop for police; reckless operation; disorderly conduct; and resisting arrest.
Per the State Police press release:
“Defendants Cabassa, Slivers, Fein, Arceno-Rosa, Hidalgo, and Dos Santos were bailed from MSP Barracks following their arrests and are expected to be in Boston Municipal Court tomorrow.
The group’s dangerous operation of their vehicles jeopardized the safety of members of the public and responding police officers. Numerous 911 calls were received throughout the day Saturday by citizens reporting the riders’ erratic, negligent, and reckless operation.”
See below for details from the original release posted Saturday, February 24, 2018.
Statement on State Police Arrests and Officer-Involved Shooting in Boston
This evening, at around 5:00 p.m. multiple persons recklessly operating off-road bikes and All-Terrain-Vehicles (ATV) were apprehended by State Police in Boston. During the apprehension of the suspects, a Trooper discharged his weapon, resulting in one suspect sustaining a non-life threatening injury.
Preliminary investigation indicates that approximately 25-35 individuals were riding off-road bikes, motorcycles, and ATVs in a reckless manner in Boston today. Police received numerous 911 calls reporting reckless operation by this group that was endangering the public.
At about 5:00 p.m., Troopers observed the group traveling in an erratic and dangerous manner on Route 93 Southbound in Boston. Troopers encountered them on the ramp from Route 93 Southbound to Exit 18 (Mass Avenue) and attempted to effect arrests.
During that encounter, a Trooper discharged his weapon, striking one of the riders, a 28-year-old Randolph man. That man was transported to Boston Medical Center for treatment of what is believed to be a non-life-threatening injury. Another rider — who was not shot — complained of pain and was transported to an area hospital for evaluation. A Trooper sustained a knee injury during the incident and was transported to Mass General Hospital for treatment.
Five suspects were arrested and charged with various offenses. They have been transported to area barracks for booking and are expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court next week. The two suspects who were transported to the hospital are also expected to be charged. State Police seized approximately 20 motorcycles and ATVs.
Several riders evaded apprehension during this incident.
The incident remains under investigation by Troopers assigned to Troop H, Troop E, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, and Crime Scene Services Section. Boston Police are also assisting in the investigation into the group’s reckless operation.
If anyone has any information about this investigation, please contact the State Police Detective Unit for Suffolk County at (617) 727-8817.
All police-involved shootings are investigated by the District Attorney’s Office of jurisdiction.