Police: MTA bus driver punched, doused with lighter fluid by passenger in Brooklyn
NEW YORK - Police are searching for a man who allegedly attacked an MTA bus driver in Brooklyn.
It happened around 6 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Nostrand Avenue and Empire Boulevard in Crown Heights.
Police said the driver announced the B44 bus was going out of service and asked passengers to exit. He noticed the suspect wasn't getting off, so he offered assistance, but was punched multiple times and even had lighter fluid poured on him.
Residents told CBS2 they've seen the suspect around before, and it doesn't make sense why he would assault the driver.
"He be riding the train sometimes," one person said. "I just hope you guys find him."
"That's crazy," resident Bill Rodgers said. "I don't know, that's crazy. The city is crazy."
The suspect then ran off, but the driver managed to take a photo of him. He was last seen wearing a denim jacket, checkered shirt, denim shorts and yellow sneakers.
First responders took the driver to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
"Targeting a bus operator with violence is beyond outrageous because attacks on public servants are attacks on all of us. When the NYPD catches this unhinged criminal-and they will-prosecutors should ensure he faces maximum consequences under the law," MTA Senior Vice President of Buses Frank Annicaro said in a statement.
Sifat Polok works at a deli just feet from the bus stop. He said he feels bad for the driver but isn't surprised, as he himself has almost been attacked.
"A lot of people don't want to hear, 'no,'" he said. "They tried to attack me multiple times. I saved myself because of the cameras.. I feel scared."
Anyone with information about his attacker is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.