Bus Hijack Suspect Faces Theft Charges
The man who allegedly stole an MTA bus and led officers on a two-hour chase Friday night is scheduled to appear at the Inglewood courthouse Monday, authorities said.
Jose Luis Hernandez, 22, was arrested on suspicion of grand theft about 11 p.m. after a standoff with law enforcement, said Sheriff’s Deputy Rick Varela. The Lynwood man is being held at the Los Angeles County jail in lieu of $30,000 bail, he said.
Varela said Hernandez is a transient who “was probably just out for a joy ride.”
The chase began about 7:30 p.m. when the bus driver took a break at a layover stop.
Hernandez allegedly jumped in and led police through Los Angeles and Orange counties before the bus--disabled by a spike strip--broke down in Buena Park, police said.
He refused to come out for more than an hour but then surrendered, police said.
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