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NYPD: Man Riding ATV On Manhattan Sidewalk Bites Police Officer

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- An NYPD officer was bit in the arm after he tried to stop a man illegally riding an ATV on a Manhattan sidewalk, police said.

The 28-year-old officer was on traffic enforcement duty around 6:45 p.m. Saturday when he saw the man riding a yellow quad ATV motorcycle on the sidewalk on West 206th Street, according to the NYPD.

When the officer tried to stop the man, the ATV rider bit him on the right forearm before taking off, riding south on 10th Avenue from West 206th Street, police said.

The officer was taken to the hospital in stable condition.

"He was wrong period," Ralph Jones Told CBS2's Reena Roy, "That's the police, you gotta respect the police that's it."

The suspect was described as a Hispanic man in his 20s, approximately 5'11 and 260-lbs. He was last seen wearing a white tank top and dark pants.

"You shouldn't be on a sidewalk. you have to respect the people who live around here, so that's very bad," Eric Martinez said.

Residents said they often see ATVs and dirt bikes speeding through the area with no regard for drivers or pedestrians.

"They don't care. They jump on sidewalks, they crisscross traffic," Jose Rodriguez said. "These things just pop out of nowhere, and you can kill somebody then what are you gonna do?"

ATVs are not allowed on city streets. The NYPD has been trying to crack down on illegal ATVs, encouraging the public to keep an eye out and reports any they see.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

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