Metro Bus Passenger: 'Don't Mess With Me; I Have Ebola'

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Sheriff's deputies were searching for a man Monday who made threats while traveling on a Metro bus through Lincoln Heights.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, a man and a woman boarded the bus from Line 33 around 1:45 p.m. at Venice Boulevard and Hoover Street.

KCAL9's Rachel Kim spoke with Metro spokesperson Paul Gonzales about the incident.

The man, who was wearing a surgical mask, proceeded to tell the driver "Don't mess with me; I have Ebola," according to authorities.

Officials said the driver continued to drive but called Metro Operations Control, who instructed him to keep driving.

"This is a very serious thing," said Gonzales. "Someone who does a thing like that is trying to cause fear in the population."

Before getting off at Venice Boulevard and Western, the man took off his mask and dropped it on the floor of the bus.

Metro Operations Control the proceeded to tell the driver to get the passengers off the bus and take it to a station in the 700 block of Mission Street.

The bus was sequestered for about two hours while paramedics and officials examined the scene.

The driver asked to be taken to a hospital but shows no signs of any illness at this point.

"No bodily fluids were transmitted," said Gonzales. "No blood. No spit. Nothing like that."

The bus will remained taped off until hazmat crews and officials conclude the investigation.

Los Angeles County Health officials believe this incident was a hoax.

Detectives said they believe there is a very good chance of finding the person and bringing him to justice for the crime he committed.