Man Charged After Alleged Bus Hijacking and Crash
A 33-year-old man faces multiple charges, including aggravated vehicle taking and assault, following an incident where a bus driver was allegedly attacked and the vehicle was stolen and crashed.
A 33-year-old man has been charged following an incident in Telford, Shropshire, where a bus driver was allegedly attacked and the vehicle was subsequently stolen and crashed into parked cars. Ali Balhad is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, facing charges that include aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, robbery, theft from a store, and three counts of criminal damage. He also faces charges of assault, attempted grievous bodily harm, and threats to kill.
Armed officers responded to the scene on Court Street in Madeley shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Friday. The bus driver sustained minor injuries and received treatment from paramedics. No other injuries were reported.
Video footage circulating online appears to show the initial assault, depicting the suspect lunging at the driver, pulling his beard, and damaging the vehicle's cash register. A witness, identified as care worker Kymberlee Daley, attempted to intervene and was heard pleading with the man to stop, while the driver urged bystanders to call the police. The driver exited the bus, after which the suspect allegedly took control of the vehicle. Further footage shows the bus traveling at high speed along Park Way, heading towards High Street, moving against traffic and colliding with multiple vehicles before police intervened and took the suspect into custody. The suspect had reportedly been in the area for only a week prior to the alleged incident. Balhad has been remanded in custody and is set to appear at Telford Magistrates Court on Monday.
