BERKELEY – An 18-year-old Beachwood man has been charged after police said he operated a motorcycle recklessly and eluded officers during a crowded public event at Veterans Park.
According to Berkeley Township police, the incident occurred around 4 p.m. on August 30, when Dominick P. Schena drove a motorcycle through large crowds attending an event featuring live music and food trucks. Officers in marked patrol vehicles activated their lights, sirens and hand signals in an attempt to stop him, but Schena allegedly failed to comply and fled the park.
Police later issued a social media alert seeking the public’s help in identifying the motorcyclist. The post was widely shared, and officials said Schena voluntarily surrendered at police headquarters shortly afterward.
He was charged with second-degree eluding under N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2b. Because of his low Public Safety Assessment score, he was issued a summons rather than being held.
“The Berkeley Township Police Department would like to thank everyone for their assistance in this case,” the agency said in a statement.
Authorities noted that the charges are accusations only, and Schena is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
