TransLink bus stolen from South Vancouver depot, man facing charges of theft
Posted July 14, 2023 7:31 am.
Last Updated July 14, 2023 7:34 am.
A TransLink bus stolen from a transit depot Thursday evening has been recovered after leaving a path of destruction across South Vancouver.
Metro Vancouver Transit Police Const. Amanda Steed tells CityNews the bus was being worked on at the Vancouver Transit Centre when a man somehow made it into the compound, hopped into the driver’s seat, and drove off.
“He is injured, and that’s the most important part, but there’s quite a bit of property damage,” she said.
According to police, the joy-rider left caused quite a scene across 10 or 12 blocks, before coming to a stop on Hudson Street in Vancouver’s Marpole neighbourhood.
“There’s quite a bit of property damage to other vehicles, and parts of the bus are scattered across the roadway.”
Steed says they’re investigating how the man managed to make his way into the transit yard.
“The yard where the buses are kept is generally secure. There is a fence that opens and closes when the buses come in and out. So, we’re still trying to figure that out. There’s camera footage to be [looked out] … to figure out how this person got into the yard and was able to take that bus.”
Steed says they’re currently assessing whether the bus can be salvaged.
The suspect is likely to face charges, including theft over $5,000, Steed confirms.
-With files from Renee Bernard
