A man was arrested March 21 for allegedly kidnapping a Los Angeles Metro bus operator, then causing the bus to crash into several vehicles and slam into the side of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
Anai Lindsey, 24, of Nevada, allegedly got on the bus March 20 around 11:10 p.m. at the intersection of Spring and 7th streets, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a March 21 statement.
Authorities say Mr. Lindsey y approached the bus operator, whose identity has not been revealed, and told him “Just Drive!” as he reached for his waistband as if he had a gun.
The bus operator then tried to make a left turn from Olympic Boulevard onto Georgia Street, when Mr. Lindsey grabbed the steering wheel, causing the bus to crash into several vehicles, then into the Ritz-Carlton hotel, according to police.
Police say Mr. Lindsay then fled the scene on foot.
Patrol officers responded to the scene around 11:40 p.m. after receiving a radio call of a hit and run near the 900 block of West Olympic Boulevard, according to the statement.
One of the vehicles Mr. Lindsey struck was occupied, the LAPD said. The bus operator and the person in the vehicle that was hit were taken to a hospital by paramedics.
Police said the bus driver was released from the hospital and the occupant of the vehicle is in stable condition.
A BB gun was recovered from the sidewalk in front of the bus, according to the LAPD.
Mr. Lindsey was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and is being held on $100,000 bail.
City News Service contributed to this report.
