Lancaster – On Thursday, October 31, 2019, at approximately 7:00 P.M., an Antelope Valley Transit Authority
contracted bus operator was brutally assaulted by a male rider at the transportation center at Sgt. Steve Owen
Memorial Park.
“The operator had parked a Route 1 northbound bus at OMP Transportation Center and was taking a scheduled
break while the bus batteries were charging,” said AVTA Senior Director Martin Tompkins. “An irate rider verbally
threatened our operator, then proceeded to viciously assault her, striking her in the face, cutting her lip, and
bruising her cheek.”
It was reported that the rider may have been upset over the perceived delay or over the operator exiting the bus
and speaking with another passenger on the platform. During the assault, other operators attempted to assist the
victim of the attack but were unable to detain the suspect.
As a precaution, the operator was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital and released later that evening.
“AVTA places the highest premium on the safety of our operators and passengers and we want to make it clear
that we simply will not tolerate this kind of behavior towards our operators or passengers,” continued Senior
Director Tompkins. “Therefore, we are offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction
of the suspect.”
Community assistance may help investigators. Anyone who witnessed this attack or recognizes the attacker,
please contact Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in Lancaster at (661) 948-8466.
contracted bus operator was brutally assaulted by a male rider at the transportation center at Sgt. Steve Owen
Memorial Park.
“The operator had parked a Route 1 northbound bus at OMP Transportation Center and was taking a scheduled
break while the bus batteries were charging,” said AVTA Senior Director Martin Tompkins. “An irate rider verbally
threatened our operator, then proceeded to viciously assault her, striking her in the face, cutting her lip, and
bruising her cheek.”
It was reported that the rider may have been upset over the perceived delay or over the operator exiting the bus
and speaking with another passenger on the platform. During the assault, other operators attempted to assist the
victim of the attack but were unable to detain the suspect.
As a precaution, the operator was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital and released later that evening.
“AVTA places the highest premium on the safety of our operators and passengers and we want to make it clear
that we simply will not tolerate this kind of behavior towards our operators or passengers,” continued Senior
Director Tompkins. “Therefore, we are offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction
of the suspect.”
Community assistance may help investigators. Anyone who witnessed this attack or recognizes the attacker,
please contact Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in Lancaster at (661) 948-8466.
