6 arrested in assault, robbery of Paterson bus driver
PATERSON, N.J. (WABC) -- Police in New Jersey have arrested six young men who allegedly assaulted a bus driver on October 11.
Authorities say the suspects got on the bus at the Bergen Mall and became rowdy once the bus reached Paterson. At the intersection of Broadway and Rosa Parks Boulevard, driver Louis Jiminez asked them to calm down. That's when police say they attacked, punching Jiminez and stealing $300 in cash, all while he had the wherewithal to pull the bus over.
On the bus video, a female passenger can be heard screaming as the Jiminez defends himself while the bus is still moving.
Detectives assigned to the Juvenile Division received a tip identifying 18-year-old Steven Barrantes as one of the suspects. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with robbery. Further investigation resulted in the arrest of 19-year-old Raul Marrero, 18-year-old Angelo Delzo and three juveniles ranging in age from 15 to 17.
All arrested were Paterson residents and charged with robbery.
Jiminez talked to Eyewitness News, saying he quickly realized something wasn't right.
"They sit all the way in the back, but they come back and sit up (front), and then they attacked me," he said. "They hit me, but I hold the one, the big one, and I don't let the other people hit me."
He suffered a bloody nose, a black eye and a cut to his head.
"When I hold the big guy, the other ones, they run," he said.
Jiminez is back driving again, but he says he is paying closer attention to his passengers.
"Now I watch if somebody try to attack me," he said.
