A Honolulu city bus driver was allegedly robbed and attacked Saturday afternoon after a man reportedly sprayed him with a fire extinguisher and struck him with a hard object, according to police. The incident happened around 1 p.m. while the bus was out of service and empty of passengers, authorities said.
Police say the 50-year-old suspect made off with stolen property before officers tracked him down and arrested him a short time later. He remained in custody over the weekend as investigators continued to work the case.
Honolulu Police Department documents cited by KITV show the man was booked on suspicion of second-degree robbery, interference with the operation of a public transit vehicle, and use of a noxious substance. KITV reports that beyond his age, police have not publicly released the suspect’s identity or details about what was taken. The outlet notes its story is based on HPD statements and police documents.
Transit Rules and Rider Safety
City transit rules leave little doubt about how seriously these kinds of allegations are treated. Under the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, available via Code Library, the transit code bars propelling dangerous or noxious substances at transit personnel.
TheBus also maintains a passenger code of conduct that gives drivers authority to remove or report disruptive riders, reinforcing that operators are not expected to simply endure abusive behavior.
Potential Penalties
Under Hawaii law, second-degree robbery is a class B felony, defined in statute as robbery involving force, threats, or reckless infliction of serious injury. Class B felonies can carry up to 10 years in prison and substantial fines, although any sentence would depend on the facts of the case and the defendant’s record.
See Hawaii Rev. Stat. §708-841 on Justia and public court guidance for the statutory framework.
Investigation Continues
As of the latest update, police had released no additional information about the incident or the bus driver’s condition, and the suspect remained in custody pending further investigation, according to KITV.
