33 Towed In Bizarre Local Tradition Over MLK Weekend

MIAMI — Despite repeated warnings ahead of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, police towed 33 off-road vehicles and dirt bikes this year after drivers took to public highways and roadways in a continuation of a bizarre local tradition.

Police have a no-chase policy regarding the annual event to prevent high-speed chases that could result in even more injuries. The riders know about this policy and take advantage of it, according to local law enforcement officials.

Here are the statistics as of Monday night, according to Miami-Dade Detective Chris Thomas:

• Felony Arrests - 9
• Misdemeanor arrests - 3
• Traffic arrests - 2
• Firearms seized - 4
• Vehicles impounded - 1
• Dirt bikes and All-Terrain Vehicles impounded - 33
• Hazardous moving violations - 14
• Non-hazardous moving violations - 3

There were actually fewer vehicles impounded this year than last, according to statistics compiled by Miami-Dade police. Last year police impounded 72 vehicles, more than twice as many as this year.

Police say the off-road vehicles are not meant to be ridden on highways and that the drivers often engage in dangerous behavior.

"We had to take this matter serious," Detective Alvaro Zabaleta of the Miami-Dade Police Department told Local 10 News. "We have individuals that are popping wheelies. They're on one tire. The ATVs are on two tires. This is dangerous."

Police posted multiple warnings on social media, including a photo of a dirt bike rider popping a wheelie with the message: "Dirt bikes are not street legal."

This public service message was posted on social media. Image courtesy Miami-Dade Police Department.