Two 11-year-olds on e-bikes led North Carolina police on a chase. Here’s what happened

California National admin October 12, 2026 0 Comments

Two 11-year-olds on e-bikes led North Carolina police on a chase. Here’s what happened

A welfare check in south Charlotte, North Carolina, ended with two 11-year-olds leading a police chase, according Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

It happened Sept. 30 in the Provincetowne area, and CMPD’s Aviation Unit was called in to help track one of the suspects.

“A caller reported juveniles on e-bikes throwing rocks at passing vehicles,” CMPD said in a social media post that has been viewed nearly 30,000 times.

“Officers located two e‑bikes being ridden unsafely at an increased rate of speed and attempted a traffic stop. One juvenile eventually stopped, while the second fled. With help from the CMPD Aviation Unit, officers identified and located the second juvenile at a nearby residence.”

The two e-bikes were confiscated, and the two 11-year-olds were charged with failure to heed lights and sirens, and having no operator’s license for the vehicles. The latter charge was due to the two drivers “going at a speed that is not permitted for e-bikes to go on the roadway,” CMPD said.

“Both juveniles were released to their guardians,” police said.

Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes travel at speeds of up to 20 mph, while Class 3 e-bikes can go 28 mph, according to AAA.

In North Carolina, electric bikes “are not , licensing or insurance requirements” so long as the motor is 750w and the maximum speed is 20 mph, People For Bikes reports.

This story was originally published October 12, 2026 at 4:42 PM with the headline “Two 11-year-olds on e-bikes led North Carolina police on a chase. Here’s what happened.”