Youths on ATVs Lead Police on a Chase

Two 17-year-olds on all-terrain vehicles led police on a chase through the township for about 45 minutes Tuesday.

Police officer Nugent Zaccardi, who was assigned to a school crossing post at Kiwanis and Webster Drives, said he observed an all-terrain vehicle approaching him at his post about 1:05 p.m.

Zaccardi said he ordered the vehicle to stop, at which time the driver accelerated the vehicle and drove around him.

Police said immediately after the first vehicle passed, a second vehicle arrived at the scene. Zaccardi said he also ordered the second vehicle to stop, but the driver drove around him, struck a parked vehicle and fled the scene.

In a separate incident about 40 minutes later, Sgt. Robert Simpson said he observed two all-terrain vehicles stopped at Valley View Terrace and Ratzer Road.

Sgt. Simpson said he attempted to pull in front of the vehicles, at which time they fled east on Ratzer Road. Simpson said the two vehicles went in different directions at Alps Road, one proceding north, while the other headed south. Police said Simpson terminated the pursuit due to poor road conditions.

Detective Chris Corsiglia then observed one of the vehicles cutting through an Exxon gas station, then heading east on Hamburg Turnpike, and south on Church Lane. Police said the vehicle eventually crashed into a snow bank at Atherton Court. Police Officer Vincent Ricciardelli arrived on the scene and took the driver of the quad, a town resident, into custody.

Police said Youth Bureau detectives were able to identify the second driver, another 17-year-old Wayne resident.

The two juveniles were charged with eluding, careless driving and operating a quad on a public roadway.