Metro Announces Arrest Of Suspect In Bus Driver Assault
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A Reseda man has been arrested in connected with the assault on a METRO transit bus driver in Studio City.
Anthony Gamez, 24, was reportedly taken into custody at 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday on an Orange Line bus after the bus operator recognized Gamez from a "wanted" poster he had seen earlier that day.
The attack happened on Friday at 7:35 p.m. on board Metro Bus Line 150 near Ventura Boulevard and Laurel Canyon Boulevard. The suspect became angry during a dispute involving the bus fare, and punched the driver in the head, knocking him unconscious.
A $25,000 reward had been posted for information on the suspect.
The suspect was apparently wearing the same clothing depicted in surveillance photos from the incident.
The driver contacted the dispatch center and the arrest was made by deputies from the Transit Services Bureau. The arrest was made at Canoga Avenue and Oxnard Street in Van Nuys. Sheriff's detectives will be seeking Felony Battery charges.
Gamez is also being investigated in possible connection with another assault on a bus driver that happened on Monday at about 1:40 p.m. at Fallbrook Avenue and Roscoe Boulevard in West Hills, according to a statement by Metro.
