Police: Man Accused Of Trying To Hijack UTA Bus Failed Because Of Parking Brake
Mar 17, 2021, 7:20 AM
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Police have arrested a man who’s accused of trying to hijack a UTA bus.
Charging documents state the only thing that stopped him was the parking brake.
The incident happened Saturday near 500 North and Terminal Drive, which is the road leading to the Salt Lake International Airport.
According to a probable cause statement, Francis Xavier Barth, 61, was the last passenger on the bus when he started yelling and threatening the driver.
The documents state he then sprayed a fire extinguisher inside the bus before throwing it at the driver.
Barth told the driver to “Drive the bus or I will” and “I will throw you and back the bus over you,” according to court records.
That’s when the driver ran off the bus, officials said. Security video reportedly shows Barth getting into the driver seat and attempt to drive away, but he couldn’t find the emergency brake release.