A situation that should have led to tickets against two ATV drivers in Lewisporte, has now resulted in criminal charges.

Lewisporte RCMP noticed three ATVs driving on the main road, heading toward Campbellton, just before 11:00 Saturday night.

When an officer stopped to speak with the group, two of the drivers fled the scene.

The other driver stayed and cooperated with police. However, while that situation was being handled, police say the two drivers returned, revved their engines, and turned around in the road several times before fleeing again.

About three-and-a-half hours later, officers found the two quads stopped on the eastbound side of the Trans-Canada.

The drivers fled once again, travelling at a high rate of speed down the TCH. In the interest of public safety, police did not pursue the vehicles.

The two operators, aged 18 and 23, have been identified and arrested.

The RCMP say if the pair had cooperated during the initial traffic stop, it may have resulted in a ticket, but now both drivers are facing two counts each of flight from police. They will appear in court at a later date.