Bus Driver Foils Attempted Bus Theft, Kidnapping

PALMDALE (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say a bus driver's quick thinking kept a passenger from stealing his bus and kidnapping his passengers.

Richard Martin, 43, was arrested Thursday on charges of attempted kidnapping and auto theft, and is being held on $100,000 bail.

The attempted theft happened at Palmdale Boulevard and 90th Street East at about 3:10 p.m., when the bus stopped and the driver got out of his seat.

The bus driver told deputies that Martin ran to the front of the bus and jumped into his seat, yelling that he was going to take the bus and all the passengers. The bus driver managed to disable the bus electronically to stop the theft.

Martin was still in the driver's seat when deputies arrived, according to sheriff's officials.

Deputies at the scene said Martin told them he was taking the bus because he wanted to go visit his family.

None of the passengers on board were hurt, but deputies say they were very shook up over the incident.

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