(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte Police Department now has a bicycle with a motor to help take a bite out of crime.

 

Police Chief Paul Brettin said the Jeep eBike will travel about 20 miles per hour without peddling but up to five miles per hour faster while peddling with the motor running.

 

Brettin said expect to see the motorized bicycle patrolling trails and other recreational areas.

He also plans to assign the motorized bicycle to neighborhoods experiencing a rash of thefts

and other crimes because it runs quietly allowing the operator to catch offenders in the act.  “They’re a great, great tool for police,” he said.

 

Brettin said the wide knobby tires also allows the machine to operate on beaches and other off-road terrain.  The motorized bicycle, priced at about $5,800, was donated by Matt Magnuson, owner of La Porte Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram on U.S. 35 near Johnson Road.

 

La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody took the motorized bicycle out for a test drive after it was donated after Christmas.  “It’s fantastic.  It’ll get up and go,” he said.