A Nevada man who police say was armed with a BB gun was behind bars Thursday for allegedly confronting and threatening a Metro bus driver in downtown Los Angeles, then grabbing the wheel and causing the bus to crash into several vehicles and slam into the side of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
Anai Lindsey, 24, was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail. Police said he fled from the bus after it crashed around 11:40 p.m. Wednesday but was arrested a short time later. He was booked on suspicion of kidnapping.
According to police, the man boarded the bus around 11:10 p.m. Wednesday near Spring and Seventh streets, then approached and threatened the bus driver. He then reached into his waistband as if he had a gun and shouted “Just drive,” police said.
The bus driver attempted to make a left turn from Olympic Boulevard onto Georgia Street, but the suspect grabbed the steering wheel, causing the bus to strike multiple vehicles — one of which was occupied — then hit the hotel building, police said.
After the suspect fled and police responded, the bus driver and the person who was in the vehicle that was struck were both taken to hospitals. The bus driver was since released, while the other person, believed to be a female, was described as stable with unspecified injuries.
Police said a BB gun was recovered from the sidewalk in front of the bus.
No other injuries were reported.