By Kennedy Puckett 
An unusual transit bus theft ended without injuries after a man drove away in a city bus and continued making regular stops, allowing riders to get on and off as though nothing were out of the ordinary. The incident unfolded on the evening of Nov. 11 when a Hamilton Street Railway bus pulled into a terminal and the driver stepped away for a brief break, leaving the vehicle unattended.
During that short window, police say a 36-year-old man boarded the bus and drove off with passengers still inside. Instead of fleeing or abandoning the route, he proceeded to follow the scheduled line, stopping at multiple points and letting riders exit or board as they typically would on their evening commute. Officers later noted that he even refused entry to one person attempting to board with an expired transit pass.
Police monitored the bus as it continued its route and eventually brought it to a safe stop. The suspect was taken into custody without any struggle, and authorities reported that no injuries occurred during the unexpected detour. Despite the circumstances, officers said the bus remained undamaged.
Investigators described the situation as both unusual and serious. While some aspects of the incident carried a surprising level of normalcy — including the man’s apparent effort to maintain routine transit operations — officials emphasized that the unauthorized taking of a public vehicle remains a criminal offense with significant risk.
The suspect now faces several charges, including theft over $5,000, possession over $5,000, obstructing police and driving while prohibited. Police have not released his name.
Transit officials and law enforcement expressed relief that passengers were unharmed and the episode concluded without further complications. The investigation into how the man gained access to the bus and managed to operate it for several stops remains ongoing.
Shawn Henry