Police arrest two in Kensington ATV attack
Police have arrested two Philadelphia men who they believe were part of a group that repeatedly ran their ATVs over a man in Kensington last month, critically injuring him.
Police have arrested two Philadelphia men who they believe were part of a group that repeatedly ran their ATVs over a man in Kensington last month, critically injuring him.
Carlos Rivera, 28, and Sergio Lopez, 22, are charged with aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, and other counts in connection with the Sept. 14 attack.
A warrant was being prepared to charge a third person, police said yesterday.
Rivera, of the 3400 block of Crystal Street, and Lopez, of the 2100 block of East Stella Street, are accused of attacking a 29-year-old Philadelphia man after getting into an argument with him.
The man, who police have not identified, was driving on the 400 block of East Ontario Street around 7:30 p.m. when he met with a group of eight to 10 ATV riders blocking the road. The driver confronted the group, which police said included Rivera and Lopez, then tried to leave.
Members of the group threw objects at his car and chased him, police said, causing him to crash into several parked cars. When the man got out of his car, the riders knocked him down and ran over him, police said.
The driver was taken to Temple University Hospital, where he spent more than a week.
Lopez was arrested on Friday and Rivera on Monday. Both had been arrested numerous times for drug violations and assault charges, court records show. Rivera has been convicted of manufacturing or possessing drugs and for contempt of court, according to court records.
Residents of the area where the assault took place have long said ATVs are a dangerous and pervasive problem. The riders tool around in dirt lots and often take to the streets in packs, creating noise, dust clouds, and hazardous driving conditions.
But police may chase ATVs only if the drivers are suspected of committing a crime or have a weapon, and many neighbors say they are afraid to report illegal behavior to police for fear of retaliation.
