Suspect Sought in 2 Random Pepper Spray Attacks on MTA Buses in Brooklyn

It's not clear what prompted the attack

What to Know

  • A man sprayed pepper spray on two MTA buses Thursday, authorities say
  • They both happened on B15 buses, one in the morning and then again in the late afternoon
  • Cops searched the area for the suspect after the evening attack but he remains on the loose. Cops found a can of the spray at the scene

Authorities are looking for the man who allegedly released pepper spray on two MTA buses in Brooklyn Thursday, once in the morning and then again during the evening rush.

Both pepper spray incidents happened on B15 buses, according to the Transport Workers Union Local 100. 

In the early morning incident near the East 98th Street stop, the mane sprayed a "caustic substance" at the 45-year-old bus driver, who's been on the job for 13 years, according to TWU Local 100. A partition prevented the substance from getting onto the driver, but he was affected by the noxious fumes, according to the union.

Then during the evening rush Thursday, about 20 passengers were on the bus when the same suspect sprayed the repellent near Blake Avenue and East 98th Street around 6 p.m., the sources say. Two of those passengers were taken to a hospital with watery eyes and breathing trouble, but they are expected to be OK, the sources said. 

The bus driver in the second incident suffered similar symptoms; he was also taken to a hospital and is expected to be OK. It's not clear what prompted the attack. 

Cops searched the immediate area for the suspect after the attack but he remains on the loose Friday. Authorities found a can of the spray at the scene.

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