Monterey Police Arrest Juvenile for E-Motorcycle Violations and Adult for Firearms Possession
MONTEREY, CA — “The Monterey Police Department has received complaints specifically related to Electric(E)-Motorcycle law violations, including riding on sidewalks and the recreation trail. E-Motorcycles are subject to several requirements including registration with the DMV, possession of Driver’s License with an M1 endorsement, and proof of insurance.
On Thursday January 23, 2025, at approximately 3:49 p.m., a Monterey Police Officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a subject driving an E-Motorcycle after observing the subject riding on the sidewalk in the area of Alvarado Street and Munras Avenue. The subject did not yield to the officer and fled on the e-bike. The officer pursued and the subject drove the wrong way against traffic on Del Monte Avenue at Alvarado Street and again the wrong way on East Franklin Street at Tyler Street. At one point the subject nearly struck a pedestrian and drove through the Custom House Plaza, an area known for heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The subject passed by multiple officers who had activated their emergency lights and siren and/or yelled for him to stop, but he refused. The subject was not apprehended at that time.
E-Motorcycle – Courtesy of Monterey PD
Officers initiated an investigation and identified the driver as a 15 years-old male juvenile and obtained a search warrant. On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 8:00 a.m., Monterey Police Detectives served a search warrant at a residence in the 500 block of Casanova Avenue in Monterey related to the investigation. MPD located the E-Motorcycle that fled from officers. The E-Motorcycle was seized as evidence and officers received a court order to impound it for 30 days based on its use in a vehicle pursuit with law enforcement. The MPD will be pursuing felony charges of 2800.2(a) CVC – evading a peace officer.
While serving the warrant at the residence, MPD located several unsecured firearms. Detectives determined that one of the occupants of the residence was prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of a previous felony conviction and a prison sentence. MPD Detectives obtained a second search warrant to further the investigation related to the discovered firearms violations. As a result of that search warrant, MPD located 20 firearms, ammunition, heroin, and cocaine. A loaded handgun was located unsecured in the closet of a small child’s bedroom and another handgun was located unsecured in a hallway closet. Jeffrey Vandervort Sr, 44 years old, was arrested on charges of 29800(a)(1) PC – felon in possession of a firearm, 30305(a)(1) PC – felon in possession of ammunition, 29180(c) PC – possession of a firearm with no serial number, 30605(a) PC – possession of an assault rifle, 25100 PC – unlawful storage of a firearm, and 11350 HS – possession of a controlled substance. Vandervort was booked into the Monterey County Jail and his bail was set at $30,000.”
