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.

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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.

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“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.