An individual accused of stealing a bus with passengers onboard has been commended for his actions after deceiving the driver but choosing to continue the scheduled route. The Hamilton Police Service in Ontario, Canada, reported that a 36-year-old man commandeered the bus as it arrived at the Hamilton Street Railway terminal around 9 pm on November 11. Seizing the opportunity when the driver took a brief break, the man entered the bus with 10 passengers still aboard.
Rather than posing a danger by misusing the bus, the hijacker surprised everyone by adhering to the original route that the passengers were anticipating for the evening. During the journey, he made stops to pick up and drop off passengers, even refusing entry to someone with an expired bus pass. However, his actions began to arouse suspicion among the passengers, leading to the police being alerted by the original driver.
Trevor McKenna, a spokesperson for the Hamilton Police Service, mentioned that the hijacker deviated from the main route by venturing onto side streets and even seeking directions at one point. Police decided to follow the bus cautiously due to concerns about the hijacker’s intentions. The officers aimed to avoid any potential harm and took a careful approach to the situation.
Eventually, the bus came to a halt, and the police arrested the individual, charging him with theft, obstruction, and other offenses. The entire incident lasted approximately 15 minutes, during which the hijacker managed to cover about four miles while driving the articulated “bendy” bus with a joint in the middle. The man’s identity has not been disclosed, with authorities suggesting a possible mental health aspect to the incident, noting that he had no fixed address.
Constable McKenna, despite acknowledging the unusual nature of the event, commended the man for his actions while emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. He highlighted that the bus remained undamaged and expressed gratitude that no injuries occurred. McKenna also observed that the hijacker seemed to be abiding by certain rules and displayed good sportsmanship throughout the event.