The State - News from March 7, 1985

A complaint was filed in Santa Clara County Municipal Court against county bus driver Johnie Thompson Jr., 30, who allegedly took 20 passengers on a frightening ride through downtown San Jose while police chased him. San Jose State University police said Thompson, who had just been fired, was at the controls of the bus on Feb. 16 as campus police approached a suspected bicycle thief boarding it. Thompson allegedly sped away. When terrified passengers begged him to stop, he reportedly shouted, “These aren’t really cops. They’re out to kill me.” After a 30-minute chase, Thompson abandoned the bus and ran. He is still being sought.