St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office deputies are asking the public to help identify two dirt bike riders responsible for property damage in Mechanicsville on November 1, 2025. The incident, reported around 1 p.m. in the 40000 block of Waterview Drive, involved the riders tearing up a grassy area and nearby landscaping, according to authorities
Deputies arrived shortly after the call but found the suspects had fled the scene. Investigators documented visible tire tracks and disturbed vegetation, classifying the act as vandalism alongside multiple traffic violations. Photos released by the office show the riders in dark clothing, masks and helmets, operating red and black dirt bikes. No arrests have occurred as of November 3, 2025, and the case remains under active review by the sheriff’s patrol division.
The Mechanicsville neighborhood, a rural pocket of St. Mary’s County with single-family homes along winding roads like Waterview Drive, sits amid farmland and wooded lots. Such areas often see off-road vehicle activity spilling onto private land, prompting enforcement efforts to protect residents’ properties. Under Maryland Criminal Law Article § 6-301, malicious destruction of property qualifies as a misdemeanor when damage reaches $1,000 or more, punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Lesser amounts fall under misdemeanor charges with fines up to $500. Exact damage assessments in this case await further evaluation, but the incident aligns with broader patterns of unauthorized riding that erode soil, harm plantings and create hazards for homeowners.
St. Mary’s County maintains strict rules on off-road vehicles, prohibiting their operation on public roads, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, trails like the Three Notch Road Bicycle Trail and power line rights-of-way. ATVs and dirt bikes may only run on private property with owner permission or in designated spots such as the ATV area at Chaptico Park. Violators face towing of the vehicle at owner expense, alongside citations for unregistered or uninsured operation. A $250 fine applies to unregistered vehicles on roadways, while uninsured ones carry penalties of up to $1,000 in fines or one year in jail, or both. Knowingly allowing such use exposes owners or guardians to additional charges.
These measures stem from a zero-tolerance policy the sheriff’s office adopted in August 2024, following resident complaints about safety risks from vehicles lacking lights, signals and other road features. Earlier that year, in May 2024, deputies ramped up patrols targeting illegal ATV and dirt bike use on highways, issuing citations that could delay driver’s licenses for young operators and add points to existing ones. Court appearances became mandatory for offenders, with fines stacking for multiple violations. Parents or vehicle owners permitting roadway use also incur penalties, aiming to deter youth involvement in reckless riding.
The push reflects ongoing concerns in St. Mary’s rural communities, where dirt bikes often navigate from trails onto neighborhoods, disrupting quiet afternoons and straining repair costs for locals. Sheriff’s traffic safety coordinators emphasize education alongside enforcement, urging riders to complete ATV safety courses and wear gear like DOT-approved helmets, goggles, gloves and boots. Operating with a partner, sharing itineraries and sticking to controlled speeds help prevent accidents, per office guidelines.
Reporting plays a central role in these investigations. Residents can reach Corporal Max Schell directly at 301-475-4200, extension 8161, or via email at Max.Schell@stmaryscountymd.gov. For anonymity, the Crime Solvers line operates 24 hours at 301-475-3333, or texts go to 274637 by entering “Tip239” in the message block — case-sensitive — followed by details. Responders confirm receipt, allowing continued dialogue without name disclosure. Eligible tips leading to arrests qualify for cash rewards, funding community programs through donations.
For riders complying with rules, designated areas offer legal outlets, promoting safer habits. As fall progresses, with shorter days heightening visibility risks, authorities remind all road users to prioritize caution.
