The Pike County Sheriff’s Office has a warning for reckless drivers: you are under surveillance and that surveillance may not have a badge.

“We’re watching. We’re patrolling. We may even have cameras,” said Sheriff Russell Thomas.

He asked that residents do the same.

One vehicle recently did more than $1,000 in damage to a public road in the Shellhorn area in a mud-riding incident.

“It’s a popular place to ride because there are miles upon miles of dirt roads,” said Thomas.

Deputy Buck Williams responded to the call Thursday morning. He said the truck left ruts along the side of the road that were more than a foot deep.

“We depend a lot on the public to help in catching people that do this,” he said. “Anytime anyone hears them tearing up the road or see someone tearing up the road needs to call us then, while they’re still out there.”

Thursday’s guilty party was easier to catch than most. The 19-year-old’s truck got stuck in the mud. The driver abandoned the vehicle at the scene.

The county’s roads department assessed $1,072.64 in damages, which amounted to a second degree misdemeanor for the driver should the county choose to press charges.

The sheriff said the county would not pursue charges against the driver, but the teeneager will be expected to repay the county for costs incurred.

And, Thomas said, charges could be pressed if drivers cross into personal property.

“It’s really too far if they damage personal property,” he said.