About 300 people were at the block party on Rutherford Avenue between Marion and Prospect streets.
An ATV rider drives through Trenton's West Ward in late December 2011. TRENTON — Police seized two all-terrain vehicles and shut down a Sunday evening block party after several ATV riders drove illegally on the street and rode circles around officers on foot, authorities said yesterday.
Police yesterday also were looking for a 32-year-old city man they say caused a disturbance, fled the scene on an ATV and was able to elude police.
About 300 people were at the block party on Rutherford Avenue between Marion and Prospect streets. The party’s host had a permit from the city, but when about 25 ATV riders showed up about 6:40 p.m., the officers assigned to crowd control at the party became concerned.
“There was a large number of juveniles, kids out there playing,” Lt. Mark Kieffer said yesterday. ”They wanted to head off a problem.”
One of the riders, later identified as Johnnie Kennedy, 32, allegedly caused a disturbance and officers tried to arrest him. Kennedy broke free from them, mounted his ATV, and fled the area, Kieffer said.
Immediately afterward, police said from six to eight of the remaining ATV riders became more aggressive.
“The ATV drivers started circling the officers,” Kieffer said.
The officers, who were on foot as they were being circled, called for assistance and all available units in the city went the scene. Most of the riders dispersed, but at least two had their vehicles impounded. Police also issued numerous motor vehicle summonses for some of the riders and disorderly persons summons for block-party guests, Kieffer said.
After the party was shut down, police sought the identity of the man who allegedly caused the disturbance and focused on Miller. A warrant has been issued for his arrest on eluding charges, police said yesterday.
Police said the ATV riders were part of the party and did not crash it, but their riding on the street and sidewalks put guests in danger. It is illegal to ride an ATV outside of private property in Trenton.
Anyone with information on Kennedy’s whereabouts is asked to call police at (609) 989-4170, or the Confidential Tip Line at (609) 989-3663.
Contact Alex Zdan at azdan@njtimes.com or (609) 989-5705.
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