Cleveland Police Prepare for Dirt Bike Ambush

Cleveland Police issued a bulletin Thursday, putting officers on alert that young males riding dirt bikes and ATVs would attempt to provoke them into pursuit and lure them into an ambush.  

The anonymous tip reportedly came from the Harvard Wine & Grille, on Harvard Road, and said that an additional group of young males would be waiting, ready to "overwhelm" arriving officers.

Another threat, according to the bulletin, involves young males riding dirt bikes next to zone cars and shooting at the officers inside. 

Cleveland Police have made no additional comment on the threat, but CPPA President Steve Loomis called it credible. He told Fox 8 Thursday that officers would not be enticed to respond, but if they had to, they would do so "immediately." 

"And I assure you we're a a better shot than they are," Loomis said.

He characterized the threat as the latest in a series of threats against officers nationwide. "It's open season on police," he said, and urged city leaders to speak out against the threats.

Cleveland Police have a no-chase policy for dirt bikes and ATV vehicles.  

For a definitive look at Cleveland's dirt bike / ATV riders, read Doug Brown's feature story on the Wheelie Kings of Cleveland, and check out the photos here.