Bend man arrested after reckless driving near protest
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A 34-year-old Bend man was arrested Saturday afternoon after police say he rode his motorcycle recklessly near a downtown protest, blocked traffic, and tried to elude officers.
According to Bend Police, the incident happened around 3:51 p.m. near Northwest Wall Street and Franklin Avenue, where a protest was taking place on all four corners of the intersection. Officers say a motorcyclist, later identified as Kurt Patrick Greenwood, was doing laps through the intersection, blocking traffic and endangering demonstrators.
Officers attempted to stop Greenwood a short distance from the protest, but police say he sped away eastbound on Franklin Avenue at a high rate of speed. Officers did not pursue the motorcycle through the busy area in accordance with department policy.
Minutes later, Greenwood reportedly returned to the intersection and again began circling through traffic. Officers, still in the area, positioned near NW Wall Street and Franklin Avenue to conduct a traffic stop. When Greenwood became stuck in traffic on Wall Street, officers approached and stopped him.
Police say Greenwood refused to get off his motorcycle, so officers removed him and detained him on the ground. He initially resisted arrest but was subdued without further force. Police say Greenwood was not injured during the arrest.
He was taken to the Deschutes County Jail and booked on suspicion of Disorderly Conduct II, Eluding a Police Officer, and Resisting Arrest. He was also cited for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device, Improper Display of Validating Stickers, and Driving Uninsured.
Police say Greenwood’s motorcycle was impounded because he did not have insurance. Wall Street was temporarily blocked while officers made the arrest.
