Portland transit police say they’ve made an arrest in an assault on a female TriMet bus driver during a north Portland fare dispute.
A man was arrested Friday evening near the spot where the assault took place Thursday night. He was not immediately identified.
Transit police Lt. Eric Schober said officers spotted a man walking out of a residence who looked like a grainy image from a bus security video. The man had been described as 5-foot-5 and 300 pounds. Schober said officers had figured the man lived in the area.
TriMet had offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Transit agency spokeswoman Roberta Altstadt said Friday the unidentified driver is recovering.
Trimet said the operator was repeatedly punched after telling a rider who had boarded about a half mile earlier that he did not pay the correct fare. The bus was parked at the time. The man reportedly began yelling at the driver, then started hitting her. Altstadt said the driver fought off the attacker, who left on foot.
