NEW BEDFORD — One person has been arrested after a pedestrian was struck as a group of dirt bike riders unlawfully sped through the North End of New Bedford on Monday night.

Members of the New Bedford Police Department's Gang Unit observed a group of dirt bikes operating at a high rate of speed on Bullard Street just before 7 p.m. on Monday. Police witnessed the off-road vehicles speed through the intersection of Bullard Street and Belleville Avenue without stopping.

Police followed the dirt bikes as they continued to operate on New Bedford streets without stopping at intersections.

As the dirt bikes were speeding through the streets, police say a pedestrian was struck by one of the off-road vehicles in the area of Holly Street. The victim was evaluated by medics and did not require hospitalization.

One of the dirt bike riders, Elon Thomas, 21, of 37 Bullard Street, Apt. 1, New Bedford, eventually stopped in front of Granite City Electric Supply on Mount Pleasant Street. Thomas was arrested and charged with reckless operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stop for police, leaving the scene of personal injury, and operating without a helmet.

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