Officers riding on ATVs make arrest

MINERAL RIDGE -- Weatherfield Township Police Chief Joseph Consiglio said that two days of police officers riding all-terrain vehicles May 6 and 7 resulted in many informational stops and one arrest.
Two officers are riding the trails frequented by riders of ATVs and dirt bikes in the warmer months this year.
Consiglio said that though many riders were surprised to learn they were riding next to police officers, they also got answers to questions about rules and regulations regarding ATV driving.
Consiglio said there were eight informational stops made in Mineral Ridge on May 6 and nine stops made in McKinley Heights.
The McKinley Heights patrolling also resulted in an arrest of a person for having a stolen ATV and drug charges for cocaine possession.
Consiglio said the new practice of officers' riding with the backroaders to check that they have licenses and are not trespassing "seems to be working well."
In an unrelated matter, the chief also asked local residents to keep an eye out for possible thieves in their neigborhoods, saying that garages are targets at this time of year as thieves try to steal lawn mowers and other lawn and yard-care items.
He said if citizens see something suspicious, they should call the police department.
Emergency calls should be made to 911, and nonemergency calls can be made to (330) 652-9944, which is the township police dispatch phone number.