California IN BRIEF : SAN FRANCISCO : Hijacker Takes Bus on Wild Ride

A man released from prison just three days before took over a city bus and damaged a dozen vehicles during a wild five-mile ride, authorities said. Two people suffered minor injuries in the hijacking, which sent cars in the financial district “bouncing around like bowling pins,” Police Sgt. Matt Krimsky said. Vernon Phillips, 30, boarded the Muni bus about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, Krimsky said. Phillips allegedly shoved an off-duty employee to the back of the bus, pushed the driver’s foot down on the accelerator and forced her to drive to Fisherman’s Wharf and then back downtown. The suspect then pulled the driver out of her seat and took control of the bus, Krimsky said. Driving up to 30 m.p.h., Phillips traveled six blocks, striking cars parked along both sides of the street and several moving vehicles, Krimsky said. The bus ran onto the sidewalk and smashed a concrete-covered garbage can, a news kiosk and a parking meter before coming to a stop. Police arrested Phillips at the scene.