Man Who Refused To Wear Face Mask Attacks Public Bus Driver

PINELLAS PARK, FL — The Pinellas Park police arrested a man who refused to wear a face mask on a Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority bus and then is accused of attacking the bus driver.

Around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, a man boarded the bus at 34th Street and 50th Avenue North without a face mask, which is required on PSTA buses.

When the male bus driver requested he put on a mask, the passenger refused. While the passenger was exiting the bus at 3801 7oth Ave., he punched the bus driver, causing significant injury to the bus driver's face.

Police said the attack was unprovoked.

The attacker fled on foot and police were unable to find him. However, after posting a video of the man, tipsters called in and identified him as Robert Appleby. Appleby was taken into custody.