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Police are looking for a man who allegedly attacked a Metro bus driver last week while she was on her break. Police say Geovanny Falcon, 24, and a woman boarded a bus parked on the corner of Victory Blvd. and Valley Circle Blvd. in West Hills at about 10:40 p.m. last Monday, CBS LA reports.
Falcon allegedly asked the female bus driver if they could have a free ride, according to Metro's The Source. The driver, 59, was on break and told them she could not leave the bus' current location for another two minutes. At that point, Falcon attacked the driver, both punching her and hitting her with his knees.
Detectives were able to identify Falcon using footage from the bus' security cameras. Falcon is described as a 24-year-old Hispanic man, who is about 5'7" and 150 pounds. Chief Ronine Anda with the L.A. County Sheriff's Department's Transit Policing Division called Falcon "unstable, volatile and highly dangerous," and encourages anyone who sees him to call 9-1-1 and report him. Falcon also has a 'Triple X' tattoo on the back of his neck.
A press release from LASD says that Falcon is homeless and tends to frequent the MacArthur Park area of the Red Line, but occasionally has been spotted hanging out with women in North Hollywood and the West Hills.
The driver sustained minor injuries and is recovering at a relative's home. Metro says she will return to work when she feels ready.
Metro CEO Art Leahy said, "An assault on a Metro operator is an assault on the whole Metro family. As a former bus operator myself, I'm determined to do everything we can to make sure the hard-working men and women who drive our buses are safe as well as their passengers."
Anyone with information can call Detective Keith Schumaker at 213-922-3613.
