By Jim Clark

While on patrol along McGrath Hwy. last Thursday afternoon, a Somerville Police officer observed the operator of a moped make an illegal U-turn at the intersection of McGrath Hwy. and Greenville St.

The officer activated the cruiser’s lights and sirens and attempted to stop the moped at the intersection of McGrath Hwy. and Washington St.

The operator of the moped reportedly turned right onto Washington St. and slowed down as if he was going to stop, but then turned right onto Boston St., driving up a one-way street. The operator then failed to stop at the intersection of Boston St. and Greenville St.

The pursuing officer informed Somerville Police control of the incident, deactivated the lights and sirens and followed the moped from a distance.

According to reports, the operator turned right onto Munro St., and then turned onto Walnut St. At this time, the operator reportedly started to weave between vehicles, failed to stop at the red light and was later intercepted by a police detective, who was assigned to a road detail at the intersection of Walnut St. and Highland Ave.

The operator did not have any form of identification on him, but identified himself as Carlos Tejeda. He reportedly stated that he did not want to stop because he did not have a registration sticker.

According to police, Tejeda disregarded several traffic control signals, and operated a vehicle in a reckless manner shortly after school dismissal, within a short distance from the high school, a heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic area. The reporting officer felt that Tejeda created a hazardous and offensive condition which served no valid or legitimate purpose.

Tejeda was issued various traffic citations and placed under arrest on charges of disorderly conduct, failure to stop for police, reckless operation of motor vehicle, illegal U-turn, one-way violation, failure to stop at a stop sign, failure to stop at a red light, operation of a moped without a license or permit, and failure to register a moped.

Tejeda was transported to Somerville Police headquarters where he was booked on the above charges.

The moped was towed from the scene.