Ack! Be nice to your bus driver tonight, someone is suspected of lashing out at their driver on Powell:


This afternoon, Monday February 13, 2012, at 4:05 p.m., Portland Police and Transit Police officers responded to Southeast 9th Avenue and Powell Boulevard on the report of a man who assaulted a TriMet bus operator.

Officers arrived and located the suspect, a 55-year-old male, outside the bus that was stopped in the westbound lanes at 9th and Powell. Officers spoke with the TriMet operator, a 63-year-old male, and witnesses to learn that the suspect was riding the bus and was being disruptive and verbally abusive. The operator stopped at 9th and Powell and told the man to get off the bus. The suspect walked up the aisle to the operator and put his hands on the operator's throat. Passengers yelled to the suspect to let go and get off the bus, which he did, and remained at 9th and Powell where he was arrested.

The operator did not suffer any serious injuries but will go to a hospital to be evaluated.

The suspect will be booked into the Multnomah County Jail. His name and charges will be released after he is booked.