Three Males Arrested In Salem, Accused Of Reckless Bicycling On Rt. 28

SALEM, NH — Three males — two adults and a juvenile — were arrested last week in Salem after police accused them of being part of a group that was riding bicycles recklessly in traffic, the Salem Police Department announced Monday.

Two of the subjects also attempted to evade police, the department said.

The Salem PD said Albeny Brito Lopez, 20, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was charged with disorderly conduct, disobeying an officer and resisting arrest, Edward Allen, of North Andover, Massachusetts, was charged with disorderly conduct, and a juvenile, was charged with disobeying an officer.

All three subjects were released on personal recognizance bail and ordered to appear in Salem District Court on Dec. 12, authorities said.

According to police reports, at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 7, the Salem PD received multiple calls about a group of people on bicycles riding in and out of traffic on Route 28, just south of the Cluff Road intersection, the department said.

When the first officer arrived on the scene, the group fled in different directions, ignoring the officer's commands to stop, the Salem PD said.

The department said that despite having split up, individual members of the group continued to ride recklessly on Route 28, riding between vehicles and going the wrong way.

The Salem PD managed to arrest the three subjects. One of those arrested fell off his bicycle and another surrendered after getting too tired, police said.

The department reminded the community that while riding a bicycle on a public road, the operator of the bike must obey the rules of the road just like any other vehicle operator.

"Reckless behavior, particularly on busy roads like Route 28, is not going to be tolerated," the Salem PD said in a statement.

Additionally, the department said there have been a number of complaints recently about bicycle riders pedaling their bike within local businesses, like grocery stores.

Bike riders who fail to leave a business after being asked to do so, or return later after being asked to leave, may be charged with criminal trespass, the Salem PD said.

Anyone who witnesses "reckless" bike-riding behavior is asked to contact the Salem Police Department at 603-893-1911.