Bus Driver Beaten

A Capital Metro bus driver was badly beaten and robbed by an angry passenger last Friday, June 10, at a bus stop in the 6000 block of Techni Center Drive in East Austin.

UPDATE: APD has reported that it has the suspect, 21 year old Rickey Desean Walls, in custody. Walls was already in jail for an unconnected robbery on June 12 when he was identified.

According to Sgt. Brian Miller, an argument began when the suspect accused the bus driver of intentionally missing his stop. When the bus reached Techni Center, the rider attacked the driver from behind and continued to beat him for several minutes, returning twice to continue the assault after first leaving the parked bus. He also robbed the driver.

The victim suffered extensive facial injuries and was treated at Brackenridge Hospital – he was released over the weekend. The suspect is described as a black male with a thin build, approximately 5'9", in his late 20's to late 30's. As of Thursday evening, the Austin Police Department is following leads but has not apprehended the suspect. On Wednesday, APD released surveillance footage from the crime scene – edited to remove the most graphic images from the brutal assault – and are asking the the public to come forward with any information they may have on the incident. A $5,000 reward is being offered by Veolia Transportation for information leading to the suspect's arrest.

Anyone with information should call 974-5092.