NIles council to stiffen ATV penalties

NILES — Call it ironic at best or bad timing at worst.

A four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle struck and damaged the rear of a city police car and then fled Tuesday, just one day before council’s vote today to stiffen penalties substantially for illegal ATV use in Niles.

Police Chief Bruce Simeone said the incident occurred while a patrolman was investigating complaints from residents about ATVs on Summit Street. Simeone said that the four-wheeler, operated by a young man wearing a helmet, emerged alongside railroad tracks near the street and hit the cruiser.

“After he hit it, he went around and kept going at a high rate of speed,” Simeone said.

The chief described damage to the cruiser as minor and said the officer could identify only the type of helmet and the clothing worn by the ATV operator, whom Simeone described as “a young adult.”

The chief said shortly after the incident, police made four arrests for other ATV violations.

The city has had ongoing problems with ATV operators violating laws prohibiting the four-wheelers on city streets for several years.

For the complete story, see Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com