Nine mopeds believed to be stolen were seized and three people were arrested during a targeted enforcement operation in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood on Wednesday night, authorities said.
The investigation focused on ongoing public safety and quality-of-life concerns related to scooters and mopeds in the area of Kenberma Road, according to the Boston Police Department. The operation began at approximately 8:13 p.m. on May 13, 2026.
Police said officers observed a person operating a moped leave a residence on Kenberma Road before returning a short time later with two other individuals, who were also riding mopeds.
As officers approached the group near the residence, the three individuals entered the basement, where investigators discovered several mopeds in various stages of repair and detected a strong gasoline odor, police said.
Authorities said eight gasoline-powered mopeds were located inside the basement and a ninth moped was found behind the residence. According to police, none of the vehicles were properly registered or stored, and all showed signs commonly associated with stolen vehicles, including exposed wiring and damaged ignitions.
Eight mopeds were towed from the property, while one remained at the residence.
Police arrested Kelvin Afonseca Varela, 18, of Jamaica Plain; Jayden Theodat, 18, of Roslindale; and a 16-year-old male from Dorchester.
All three are expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court on charges including unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property. Police said the suspects were also issued Massachusetts Uniform Citations for alleged motor vehicle law violations.
