An ATV biker who terrorized a Philadelphia motorist this week in a violent incident has been arrested after his road rage was caught on camera.
Gregory Stevens, 27, faces a number of charges after he was allegedly seen in a video circulating on social media assaulting the driver of a Mitsubishi SUV and running back to his ATV to retrieve a gun.
He was charged for offenses including the felonies of aggravated assault and criminal mischief, as well as a number of gun related offenses, harassment, simple assault and reckless endangerment.
Stevens also faces unrelated charges for attempted murder after he is alleged to have shot a pharmacist at Universal Pharmacy after demanding ‘Oxys’ on February 22.
Gregory Stevens, 27, faces a number of charges after a video circulating on social media shows him assaulting the driver of a car
Stevens had been traveling with a group of ATV bikers, which are not allowed on city streets
Videos posted to social media appears to show the man retrieving a gun during a violent road rage incident
Stevens was pictured lifting heavy, concrete blocks and throwing them at the SUV during the attack
Stevens became enraged and demanded that the driver of the SUV pay him for the damages to his ATV
Stevens is pictured picking up a large concrete block in a video that has since gone viral online
The incident started after a group of bikers and ATV riders stopped abruptly, causing the car to hit them, authorities said
During Tuesday’s incident, Stevens had been riding in a group of illegal ATV bikers who abruptly stopped in traffic – causing a car behind them to hit one of the bikes.
The assault victim got out of his car to make sure Stevens was okay when he became enraged and demanded payment for the damages to his bike.
Stevens repeatedly hit the 25-year-old driver on the head and face, resulting in injuries, District Attorney Larry Krasner said in a press release.
Video shows Stevens pummeling the driver and throwing large concrete blocks at the car’s windows.
‘Oh s**t! He’s trying to kill that n***a, yo!’ the person taking the video says as Stevens throws the concrete blocks at the car.
Stevens then allegedly goes and grabs a handgun from another person in the biker group as the person taking the video tries to talk him down.
‘Chill, chill, chill,’ the bystander pleads with Stephens.
Stevens is prohibited from carrying firearms because he is on state parole for a 2014 robbery conviction, Krasner said.
‘This violence is an outrage and will be vigorously and justly prosecuted. It also raises questions about the challenges state supervision faces when many court functions are still shut down,’ Krasner added.
‘The criminal legal system simply must be more proactive and innovative to ensure continuity of operations as we enter Year 2 of a court emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.’
Krasner said his office has repeatedly expressed concerns about some people on probation and parole ‘who are in need of close supervision.’
Earlier on Tuesday, Krasner’s office had received approval for an arrest warrant for Stevens for the February 22 robbery for which he faces charges including attempted murder and aggravated assault.
Surveillance cameras at the store captured parts of the incident, during which Stevens allegedly shot the pharmacist in the chest and pointed the gun at the pharmacist’s head before bolting in a white Chevy Malibu.
The pharmacist was said to be in critical condition, KYW-TV reported at the time.
Another video taken before the incident appears to show a SUV swerving around the group of ATV users
Video shows the SUV quickly passes two of the ATVs in the right lane as they approach an intersection
An ATV in the left lane stands on its back wheels as the SUV merges into the right lane approaching the intersection
The SUV then appears to maneuver to cut around the ATV after passing through the green light
Court records show Stevens is being held in the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing with Judge James M. DeLeon on March 26.
According to court records, Stevens is known to use the aliases Gregory Brown and Gregory Gambrell and has a long criminal history and has previously pleaded guilty to assault and robbery.
In Philadephia, it is legal to own ATVs and dirt bikes but driving them on city streets is a summary offense usually punishable with a fine and typically will not go to court.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said the city takes the safety of pedestrians and motorists ‘very seriously’ while condemning the illegal use of ATVs on city streets – which is commonly seen during summer months.
‘Dirt bikes and ATVs are illegal to operate on Philadelphia streets. Operators can be ticketed, and vehicles confiscated. Anyone who observes this type of activity, or has information regarding planned ‘ride-outs,’ is encouraged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department,’ Mayor Kenney said, according to Philly Voice.
‘Police have been successful in confiscating a significant number of dirt bikes, ATV and scooters as part of their efforts to cut down on this illegal activity and will continue to do so.’