Police search for woman accused of attacking Metro bus driver in downtown LA

LOS ANGELES (CNS) — A Metro bus driver was attacked while on the job on Monday, one of the latest violent attacks on transport operators.

The latest attack occurred at about 9:50 a.m. on a bus traveling south on Spring Street, just south of Temple Street, Metro officials confirmed.

“Metro is angry that once again a member of our community has chosen to attack and steal from one of our most important bus drivers,” Jose Ubaldo, a Metro spokesman, said in a statement. “Our employees have a right to a safe workplace and our customers have a right to a safe ride, and we are stepping up our work to prevent crime on our system.”

The bus driver allegedly recognized the possibly homeless attacker from previous incidents and attempted to prevent her from boarding by closing the doors, according to the LAPD. However, the suspect’s arm was trapped between the doors and she allegedly lunged at the driver when the doors reopened. The suspect then grabbed the driver’s glasses, breaking the glasses and scratching her face, according to police.

No arrests were reported.

Metro officials said they need the public’s help to prevent and prosecute such crimes. The organization asked anyone with information to help the LAPD arrest the perpetrator by calling the LA Regional Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

The Metro board approved two motions last week to improve safety on the transit system, following a series of recent attacks on drivers and passengers.

Most recently, a man was stabbed to death on a Metro bus in the Lynwood area last week. A few days earlier, a man was shot on a Metro bus in Commerce.

Among the motions adopted by the Metro board are calls for the immediate deployment of more police officers in the mass transit system and at train stations, as well as the examination of possible technical improvements in buses, trains and stations.

The board had previously voted to accelerate the purchase and installation of driver protection barriers for approximately 2,000 buses.

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