Driver fights back as man tries to hijack Mississauga transit bus: union
Posted June 1, 2022 2:41 pm.
Last Updated June 1, 2022 3:05 pm.
Peel police have arrested a man who allegedly tried to hijack a transit bus and steal another transit vehicle in Mississauga.
Officers say it happened in the area of Burnhamthorpe Road West and Erindale Station Road, near Rathurn and Mavis roads, around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Police say the suspect first approached the driver of a vehicle and began to damage the vehicle. He then got on a MiWay bus and allegedly tried to take control of the transit vehicle.
In a statement, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) says the suspect “wrestled with the female driver to take control of the bus. She fought him off and was able to safely stop the vehicle.”
Police say the suspect got off the bus and went on to steal a vehicle, crashing it and damaging several poles as he fled the scene. The union says the vehicle belongs to a MiWay supervisor who had arrived at the scene.
Police were able to locate the suspect and took him into custody. He has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a vehicle, and mischief over $5,000.
No injuries were reported.
This incident has union officials calling for “immediate action and response” from the City of Mississauga.
“This is just another reminder of the dangers our transit professionals face daily in the line of duty,” says Jack Jackson, the president of ATU Local 1572.
“The City of Mississauga needs to take all acts of aggression more seriously, as they are clear precursors to more serious events that may follow. Events like we just witnessed. Proper front-line support and better response times are just a start to protecting our members.”
The union statement says assaults on transit operators are on the rise in GTA and are asking for better protection for workers and to implement severe penalties for those convicted of assaulting them.
