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Teen Chased Ducks With Dirt Bike, Cops Say

Sparta resident charged with harassing wildlife.

 

A Sparta teen chased swans, ducks and geese with his dirt bike Friday, unlawfully harassing wildlife, Sparta Township police Capt. John-Paul Beebe said.

Police responded to Seneca Lake at 4:17 p.m. after receiving reports of a lone rider creating a problem on the beach and dam, Beebe said.

When police arrived, they found Justin Giulini, 18, riding a dirt bike without a helmet, Beebe said. At first, the teen told officers he was 17 years old, and questioned police as to why there were two present, stating, “This is a waste of time,” Beebe said.

It was revealed that the dirt bike was uninsured, unregistered, and that Giulini was chasing swans, ducks and geese with his dirt bike, Beebe said.

The teen was charged with operating an uninsured dirt bike, unregistered dirt bike, operating without a helmet, operating a dirt bike without headlights, operating a dirt bike on private property without permission, and operating a dirt bike with the intent to harass wildlife.

Guilini was then required to walk home from the scene and issued a court date.

For questions about this post, email jason.koestenblatt@patch.com.

Related Topics: Harassment, Sparta Police, Wildlife, and dirt bike

Jack

11:53 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Shocking this story didn't make the headlines.....

Reply

Helena Bould

9:51 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013

There's 2 sides to every story. Justin (and his brother) have been asked by neighbors repeatedly over the last couple of years to use their bikes specifically to chase the geese away from the lakeside sandy beach and grass (where children play). What is a shame is the complaining neighbor, who called the police, chose not to go outside to talk to Justin & warn him of their actions. Clearly a divided neighborhood. I hope the neighbors that have encouraged him do now step forward to support him. Justin was wrong to be fresh with the police, but isn't that issue with most High schoolers...how does the saying go..."Hire a teenager...while they know everything"!!

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Nucky Thompson

5:24 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013

That’s what we need…..more enablers!

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