Encino, California – In a recent incident of violence on the county’s mass transit system, a man on a Metro bus stole a fellow passenger’s cellphone after assaulting the victim with a pair of pliers in a daytime robbery, authorities reported on Tuesday.
According to Officer Jeff Lee of the Los Angeles Police Department, officers were called to a stabbing on a Metro bus at Balboa and Ventura boulevards in Encino around 2 p.m. However, upon arrival, it was determined that a man had attacked another passenger with a pair of pliers on the bus. The suspect was apprehended by police on suspicion of assault and battery as he attempted to leave the scene.
The victim, who was struck by the assailant but did not require medical attention, was attended to by paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The suspect was identified as 39-year-old Michael Lindsey and was arrested for robbery, with bail set at $1.1 million. Court records also revealed past incidents involving Lindsey in giving false identification and theft of personal property.
This latest robbery adds to a series of violent incidents on the county’s mass transit system, with reported crimes down per passenger, Metro officials noted. Despite a decrease in reported incidents, bus drivers remain concerned about rising assaults among passengers.
In response to the escalating violence, Metro has implemented enhanced security measures including the deployment of more security personnel on buses and the installation of protective barriers for drivers. The agency is also considering additional dedicated transit security teams to further ensure passenger safety.
The agency acknowledges the challenges faced by bus operators, who represent Metro to the majority of riders, in light of the recent assaults linked to untreated mental illness and drug addiction. Unionized operators have criticized the agency for what they perceive as an inadequate response to the security threats faced by drivers.
As investigations continue into the recent attacks, Metro is focused on safeguarding passengers and staff while maintaining the integrity of its mass transit system.