A state trooper arrested a 26-year-old man late Tuesday night after a chase involving an ATV with two juvenile passengers, authorities said.
The trooper was patrolling Browns Bridge Road near Skelton Road around 11:45 when he saw the ATV being operated with two passengers he later learned were each under 14 riding on the rear. The trooper followed the vehicle into a gas station parking lot and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver accelerated and fled.
The chase continued behind the gas station, where the patrol car could not follow. The trooper pursued on foot through nearby woods and into an apartment complex. The driver, later identified as Jovanny Contreras-Alvarado, attempted to drive between two apartments but was unable to continue forward.
The trooper made finally caught Contreras-Alvarado and placed him under arrest without further incident. Charges include fleeing and attempting to elude and endangering the life of a child under 14 (2 counts).
The two juveniles were identified and released to their parents.