Somerville Woman Accused of Assaulting MBTA Officer

A Somerville woman is facing a slew of charges after she was arrested for fighting with a Transit Police officer while onboard an MBTA bus Friday.

Shelisa Bittle, 26, was arrested and charged with larceny, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office reports.

She pleaded not guilty to each charge in Roxbury District Court Monday and was released on personal recognizance.

Officials say Bittle stole from a pushcart located outside the Dudley Square MBTA station before boarding the bus. The owner of the stand informed Transit Police of the incident. An officer then followed Bittle onto the bus to make an arrest.

A passenger on the bus then captured an altercation between Brittle and the officer on cell phone video. The officer asked Brittle to get off the bus and she refused. The officer told investigators Bittle then tossed a liquid substance at him, which may have been rubbing alcohol.

Here’s a look at the video:

The two became physically engaged. Passengers surrounded the two with cameras. The officer then pulled out his gun in the middle of a loaded bus in order to drive passengers away from the area. The officer told investigators he never pointed the gun at anyone. A second officer was called in to help subdue Bittle.

Transit Police Lt. Richard Sullivan says the officer has had a clean record throughout his tenure on the force, however he’s been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation.

Brittle is due back in court on Nov. 2.