More Bad Press

Two charged in ATV incident

Two men were arrested Saturday after an undercover Charlotte County Sheriff's deputy found them riding all-terrain vehicles near the Charlotte County Speedway, which was closed.

William M. Atkins, 38, 6187 Alfred Blvd., Punta Gorda, and Jay B. Justice, 43, 4616 Westwood Drive, Punta Gorda, were both charged with burglary of a structure and criminal mischief. Justice was also charged with fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer.

While working as part of the Street Crimes Unit in the area of the Charlotte County Speedway in Punta Gorda, a deputy saw two men riding ATVs with their lights off in the grass near the speedway.

He ordered them to stop and asked for identification. Atkins complied, but Justice drove off on his ATV.

The deputy and the security guard on duty at the speedway checked the property. They found that several doors had been opened and that 24 feet of a heavy wire fence and been trampled with the rear gate wide open, according to a report.

Atkins told the deputy that he didn't think it was wrong to be on the grass outside of the speedway and denied being inside.

He was taken to the Charlotte County Jail and booked on $3,500 bond.

Justice was later found at his home and was taken to the Charlotte County Jail and booked on $6,000 bond.