Stolen EMS bike nearly leads to riot at Belle Isle Memorial Day

A water rescue below Hollywood Rapid at around 3 p.m. on Memorial Day allegedly lead to a series of events at Belle Isle that ended with a Richmond man’s arrest. Did anyone witness this incident? The rescue was routine enough, from the look of things.  I was actually on the island with my family at […]

June 2, 2011; 5:29 PM • by Phil Riggan

A water rescue below Hollywood Rapid at around 3 p.m. on Memorial Day allegedly lead to a series of events at Belle Isle that ended with a Richmond man’s arrest. Did anyone witness this incident?

The rescue was routine enough, from the look of things.  I was actually on the island with my family at the time, and watched Richmond Fire and EMS rescuers dry off while one of their trucks was parked on the trail. I noticed that one of their EMS bikes — loaded with first aid kits and saddlebags — was parked a little further up the path at the new concrete ramp adjacent to Hollywood Rapid.

I didn’t witness this, but allegedly, a man who had been hanging out on the rocks at Belle Isle noticed the bike too and decided to take it for a joy ride.

At some point, the man returned the bike or was spotted, which then quickly escalated as the crowds on Belle Isle got involved. Allegedly, as many as eight Richmond Police vehicles were called in for back up, occupying the Belle Isle trail. See the arrest report below.

This is the type of incident that should never happen in the James River Park. There is a delicate balance in places like Belle Isle, the Main Area and Pony Pasture where the party crowds can get so large and the areas are so remote. One or two ill-intentioned individuals can tip the scale and cause problems for everyone else.

Who was out there Monday afternoon? Did anyone witness this incident? Any comments about crowd control, partying or the culture at Belle Isle?

From the Richmond Police department:

At approximately 4:30 p.m., Monday, May 30, a member of the Richmond Fire Department was on patrol with a Police Department officer when a bicycle assigned to the Fire official was stolen and then recovered.

The police officer attempted to arrest a suspect. While attempting to arrest the suspect a large group gathered. The suspect resisted arrest and due to the large crowd the officer called for additional units. The units arrived and the suspect was arrested.

Arrested was Jordan J. Wiles, 29, of the 2700 block of West Main Street. Wiles has been charged with grand larceny and assault and battery.

June 2, 2011 5:29 PM 0