Teen motorcyclist tries to hide in small river during Ventura police pursuit

A 15-year-old motorcyclist tried to hide in a small river while being chased by Ventura police on Saturday evening.

The Ventura Police Department said it was at 7:36 p.m. when a patrol officer saw the teen commit a traffic violation near the intersection of Johnson Drive and Telephone Road.

The officer then tried to pull the boy over, but he fled on his electric motorcycle – a Talaria Sting.

A vehicle pursuit began as the officer attempted to stay with the suspect.

Then, in an effort to evade the officer, police said the teen went into the Brown Barranca – a narrow river gorge – located south of Telephone Road.

More officers responded to the area and set up a perimeter, containing the suspect to the barranca.

“The pursuing officer is also a drone operator,” added the department in a release. “The officer launched his drone and was able to locate the suspect within a couple of minutes.”

Officials said that the perimeter officers were then guided toward the teen by use of the drone, eventually taking him into custody. 

“Once in custody, officers realized the suspect was a juvenile,” stated the release. 

Due to his age, officials only identified the suspect as a 15-year-old male juvenile from Ventura.

Police cited the 15-year-old for reckless evading (felony) and being an unlicensed driver (infraction).

However, despite the charge being a felony, the department said that the teenager was not eligible to be booked into Juvenile Hall. 

Instead, officers released him to his parents and impounded his motorcycle.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Ventura Police Department at 805-650-8010.