Crime & Safety
Hijacker Takes Over Queens MTA Bus With Fake Gun, Crash Ensues: Cops
The MTA driver helped passengers to flee then leapt out the window before the bus crashed into a utility pole, according to police.
QUEENS — An MTA bus in Cambria Heights was hijacked and crashed into a utility pole after the driver jumped out the window Thursday morning, police said.
A 44-year-old man with a fake gun boarded the eastbound Q4 bus at 197th Street and Linden Boulevard about 7:20 a.m., the NYPD said in a news conference on Thursday.
The MTA operator opened all the bus doors, allowing passengers to dash for the exits, police said.
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The hijacker, who held what only later was discovered was an imitation pistol, said he was being chased and ordered the bus driver to hit the gas, according to authorities.
About ten minutes later, the driver jumped out the window at 232 Street and Linden Boulevard, and the suspect attempted to take control of the bus, authorities said.
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The bus crashed into a utility pole and the 44-year-old man was caught, police said.
The MTA operator and the hijacker were taken to Franklin Hospital with minor injuries, and charges against the 44-year-old male are pending, authorities said.
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