Metro Offers Reward for Assault of Bus Driver at Ventura and Laurel Canyon

Here is the news release from Metro and photos of the suspect are above:Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, Chair of Metro’s Board of Directors today announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect who recently boarded a Metro bus and assaulted a Metro bus operator causing injuries.The incident occurred on Friday, May 10 at approximately 7:35 p.m. as the Metro bus was traveling along Ventura Boulevard at Laurel Canyon Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley.The suspect boarded Metro Bus line 150 in Studio City and became angry with the Bus Operator over a fare dispute. The suspect then punched the bus operator in the head knocking him unconscious. The suspect then exits the bus and flees the location in an unknown direction.The suspect is described as a male/Hispanic in his mid-20’s, 5’8’’ to 5’10” in height with a thin build and long shoulder length dark hair in a ponytail. He was last seen wearing a black Chicago Bulls hat, black T-shirt, with black baggy jeans and black shoes with white soles.The Metro bus operator, a six-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), suffered injuries to his head and was transported to Sherman Oaks Hospital where he was treated and later released. He remains off duty due to his injuries and emotional trauma suffered as a result of the attack.Anyone with information regarding this crime on board a Metro bus should contact the Los Angeles Sherriff’s Transit Services Bureau, and speak with Detective James Eggers at (213) 922-3625.Reward funding is made possible by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.