Durham sheriff charges 3 members of group that rides dirt bikes on streets

DURHAM (WTVD) -- The Durham County Sheriff's Office has arrested three men in connection with a group known for operating off-road vehicles and motorcycles illegally in the City of Durham and Durham County.

ABC11 has done a series of reports on the problem.

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Deputies said the group "appears to be an organized motorcycle club that routinely violates traffic laws, endangering the public and themselves."

Friday, deputies got a search warrant and raided a suspected "chop shop" in the 14-hundred block of Maplewood Drive where stolen bikes and SUVs were stripped down.

In addition to the arrests, deputies seized 18 dirt bikes, ATVs, and motorcycles, two of them were stolen. Deputies also seized a semi-automatic handgun, drug paraphernalia, and cash.

ARRESTED: Timothy Wade Samuel (DOB 05/15/1990)

Charges:

-Two counts of felony chop shop activity

-Felony possession of stolen motor vehicle

-Felony altering serial numbers

-Possession of drug paraphernalia

-Bond: $7,500

ARRESTED: Michael Dale Smith (DOB 05/02/1996)

Charges:

-Warrant for arrest for discharging firearm in city limits

-Bond: $2,500

ARRESTED: Antonio Louis Sunte Jones (DOB 01/03/1997)

Charges:

-Order for arrest for possession of less than 1/2 ounce of marijuana, misdemeanor probation violation and possession of marijuana paraphernalia

-Bond: $7,000