This Guy Stole a Bus but Kept Picking Up Passengers and Checking Their Passes
A man in Hamilton took control of a city bus while the assigned driver was away. His approach inside the vehicle became the part people kept talking about. He treated the ride like an active shift. Stops were made, doors were opened for riders, and passes were inspected. One person attempting to board with an expired pass was unable to make it through the door. The irony of committing a major offense only to begin routine enforcement turned the ride into something that people couldn’t match with the initial action at all.
The Moment He Took The Wheel
Image via Getty Images/valentinrussanov
The bus sat at a downtown terminal with passengers already seated when its driver stepped away for a short break. A 36-year-old man stepped up, sat in the seat, and pulled out of the terminal with about ten riders still inside.
No commotion followed because the ride looked normal at first. Police later confirmed that the bus moved through several parts of Hamilton before anyone interrupted the trip.
People waiting at stops saw the bus arrive and treated it like any other vehicle on the schedule. Riders stepped on, signaled for their stops, and left through the doors without any issues. The man behind the wheel acted like someone covering a shift. He paid attention and checked passes, responded to riders getting on and off, and followed portions of an actual route.
Some passengers began noticing routing mistakes when the bus entered areas that didn’t fit the usual path. During one turn into a side street, a rider stepped forward to help with directions.
Police Tracking And The Stop
Transit staff provided GPS details that allowed officers to follow the bus from a distance. Sirens were kept off to avoid confusing the vehicle. Units watched its movement through the city and waited for a point where they could approach without placing anyone at risk.
Roughly fifteen minutes after the bus left the terminal, officers made the stop on West 5th Street. The man gave up without resistance. No injuries were reported, and the vehicle stayed in good condition.
Hamilton police stated that the man has no fixed address. He now faces several charges, including theft, possession of over $5,000, obstruction, and driving while prohibited. Officials emphasized that the presence of real riders raised the seriousness of the event, even though the actions inside the bus followed typical transit procedures.