Bishop Police Department

BISHOP (News Release) - At approximately 10:45AM on Friday, February 9, 2024, Bishop Police Department Shift I Patrol Officers were dispatched along with Nueces County Constable Pct-3 Deputies to reports of a reckless driver in the area W 3rd Street and N. Avenue F, Bishop, Texas.

The reporting party described a juvenile male on a dirt bike, driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed on a public roadway.

Responding Officers observed a juvenile male subject matching the description provided, operating an unregistered dirt bike in the area at a high rate of speed on a public roadway, without a helmet or safety equipment.

The Officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop for the observed transportation code violations, however the operator of the dirt bike failed to pull over and instead increased his speed, even after the officer in a fully marked patrol vehicle activated red / blue emergency lights and audible siren.

A pursuit ensued, during which time the dirt bike operator drove in a dangerous and reckless manner at high speeds, while disregarding several traffic laws. At one point during the pursuit the subject nearly struck another motorist and showed a willful and wanton disregard for public safety or his own safety.

The pursuit continued for several blocks, through alleyways and private property and eventually ended at a residence located in the 400 block of N. Harrel Street, in Bishop, Texas.

The juvenile male dirt bike operator was taken into custody and was later transported to the Nueces County Juvenile Justice Center, for Evading Arrest / Detention with Motor Vehicle, a felony offense. The dirt bike was impounded on scene.

It should also be noted over the past several weeks the Bishop Police Department and other area law enforcement agencies have received multiple complaints from citizens in the community regarding juveniles on dirt bikes, riding on public roadways recklessly and at high rates of speed, and even driving through yards in the area causing damage to private property.

Officers have also made contact with juveniles with dirt bikes in that area prior to this event and gave warnings and explained the laws and locations where dirt bikes could be operated safely and legally.