Pittsburgh police file more charges in illegal 'ride-outs'

Pittsburgh police arrested four more people in connection with ongoing “ride-outs” happening across the city in which dozens of ATV and dirt bike riders take dangerously and illegally to the streets, authorities said.

Police made their first six arrests in connection several ride-outs last week.

Pittsburgh and several other law enforcement agencies formed a taskforce last month in response to the issue, which authorities said was becoming worse and causing a growing danger.

Such ride-outs are not unique to Pittsburgh. New York City Police announced in July the department had seized more than 560 ATVs and dirt bikes over the previous three months. The seizures were part of a crackdown on the illegal vehicles. One New York Post story from April referred to the riders as a “brigade up and down Broadway all day and all night.”

• Torin Vittone, 24, of McMurray, is charged with reckless driving, disorderly conduct, reckless endangerment, possession of an instrument of crime, riot and conspiracy. Police spokeswoman Cara Cruz said police seized one vehicle during that arrest.
• Ronald Washabaugh, 26, of Greensburg, is charged with disorderly conduct, reckless driving, possession of an instrument of crime and reckless endangerment.
• Jacob West, 20, of Pittsburgh, is charged with two counts of riot, reckless endangerment, possession of instruments of crime, disorderly conduct and summary license and registration violations.
• Frank West, 26, of Pittsburgh, is charged with two counts of riot, reckless endangerment, possession of an instrument of crime, disorderly conduct summary license and registration violations