Two bike shops in Ridgewood have been busted for illegally selling motorcycles without identification numbers (Photo: 104th Police Precinct via Twitter @NYPD104Pct)
Sept. 19, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
Two bike shops in Ridgewood have been busted for illegally selling motorcycles without identification numbers.
Officers from the 104th Police Precinct on Wednesday raided two stores — H.C. E-Bike Corp, located at 17-02 Gates Ave., and Fly Wing, located at 55-48 Myrtle Ave. — and confiscated more than a dozen motorbikes and scooters.
Police said the bikes were being sold without vehicle identification numbers (VIN), which is illegal. A VIN provides important information about a particular vehicle such as identifying whether the vehicle has been stolen or has been in an accident.
In total, 14 bikes or mopeds were confiscated from the two businesses – 7 from each store. The operators of the stores were hit with a $1,000 fine for each vehicle confiscated.
Police raided the premises after a tip-off from Queens Council Member Robert Holden.
Holden said he had urged police to investigate the premises after his office received complaints that the businesses were selling the vehicles without VINs.
“I applaud Deputy Inspector Kevin Coleman and the men and women of the 104th Precinct for taking action against the sale of these illegal vehicles,” Holden said in a statement to the Queens Post.
Holden also underlined the problems associated with bikes not having VINs.
“Without VIN numbers and registration, the purchasers could commit reckless driving and other crimes with impunity,” Holden said.
“These problems plague our city and make our streets more dangerous. We need more of this enforcement across the city.”
Coleman said that illegal motorcycles are a major public safety concern and the police are looking to clamp down on the issue.
“In addition to street enforcement, we are constantly looking for innovative ways to combat illegal vehicles on our roadways, such as with this operation,” Coleman said.
The Deputy Inspector advised would-be buyers to always look for the VIN number before purchasing a vehicle.
He also said buyers should immediately register their vehicle after completing the purchase.
🚨To further our efforts in curbing reckless driving, today we conducted an operation with the NYPD Transportation Bureau at businesses within the 104 Precinct that were selling illegal scooters & mopeds. A total of 14 bikes were seized with 14 fines @NYPDnews @NYPDQueensNorth pic.twitter.com/HnNdhGR8q9
— NYPD 104th Precinct (@NYPD104Pct) September 14, 2022
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