Police say patience, coordination and follow-up work allowed officers to make three arrests without being drawn into potentially dangerous pursuits.

The investigation began on the evening of September 25 after reports of riders performing stunts near Highway 19A and Dingwall Road.

Police also received a report that an object had been thrown at a passing vehicle, causing damage.

Officers later located two riders and attempted to stop them, but both fled.

Police decided not to initiate a pursuit because of the potential danger to the public.

Instead, officers continued investigating through other methods and eventually identified, located and arrested both riders later that evening.

The riders received multiple violation tickets, and their electric dirt bike and scooter were seized.

Both individuals were released and are expected to appear in court at a later date.

While that investigation was underway, officers observed three additional riders in the parking lot of the Comox Valley RCMP detachment.

Police allege the group was performing stunts and attempting to provoke officers into pursuing them.

The situation escalated when members of the group allegedly tried to enter parked police vehicles.

Officers again avoided initiating a pursuit.

Through a coordinated response involving several officers positioned around the detachment, police safely arrested one youth.

The youth received violation tickets, and an electric scooter was seized. The youth was later released while the criminal investigation continued.

Police are now investigating whether any of those involved may be connected to other recent incidents reported in the Comox Valley.

“These circumstances presented a difficult policing challenge because officers endeavoured to hold those involved accountable without allowing themselves to be drawn into a dangerous pursuit,” said Constable Monika Terragni, Media Relations Officer, Comox Valley RCMP.

“Rather than allowing themselves to be drawn in, our officers relied on patience, coordination, observations and follow-up investigation. By the end of the evening, several individuals had been identified, arrests had been made, vehicles and evidence had been secured, numerous violation tickets had been issued, and criminal investigations were underway.”

Comox Valley RCMP are reminding parents and guardians that electric dirt bikes and scooters are subject to provincial laws governing where and how they can be operated.

Riders who endanger the public or fail to stop for police may also face criminal investigation.

Anyone who witnesses dangerous or unlawful behaviour involving these vehicles is encouraged to contact police.

When it is safe to do so, investigators say descriptions of riders and vehicles, locations, directions of travel and available video can help identify those involved and provide evidence for potential charges.