Man Who Kidnapped Bus Driver And Slammed Into Ritz Arrested: LAPD

LOS ANGELES, CA — Authorities on Thursday identified a Nevada man accused of hijacking a Metro bus with a BB gun, grabbing the wheel and slamming into the Downtown Los Angeles Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

Anai Lindsey, 24, was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping following the dramatic incident Wednesday.

Police allege Linsey boarded the Metro bus around 11:10 p.m. Wednesday near Spring and Seventh streets, approached and threatened the bus driver. He reached into his waistband as if he had a gun and shouted "Just drive," according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

"The bus operator attempted to make a left turn from Olympic Boulevard onto Georgia Street when the suspect grabbed the steering wheel and caused the bus to collide with several vehicles," according to a statement released by the LAPD. "One of the vehicles on Georgia Street was occupied. The bus continued and collided into a hotel, at which time the suspect fled the scene on foot."

Responding police officers recovered a handgun, later determined to be a BB gun, from the sidewalk in front of the bus, according to the LAPD.

The bus driver and the person in one of the vehicles struck by the bus were taken to a local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics.

Lindsey was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Central Division detectives, at 213-833-3750.