UMVA has learned that a harrowing incident of kidnapping and attempted assault occurred on a Chicago bus in the early hours of the morning.
A 57-year-old bus driver was forced to drive the vehicle for over 6 miles off its typical route after a 51-year-old male suspect allegedly pulled a knife and threatened her at knifepoint around 2:40 a.m.
The driver, showing immense bravery, tripped a silent alarm, and after her supervisor located the bus, she made a daring escape by jumping out of the vehicle's window.
The suspect, later identified as Lanell Fields, exited the bus and ran into Washington Park, but was swiftly taken into custody around 3:20 a.m.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the driver was able to see the suspect's threatening actions through the rearview mirror, describing how he jabbed the knife in a menacing motion, making her fear for her life.
Fields has been charged with aggravated armed kidnapping, aggravated unlawful restraint, and aggravated assault, and was ordered to be held, with a court appearance scheduled for May 20.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Fields has a lengthy criminal record dating back to 2001, with convictions including looting, burglaries, battery, and damage to property.
This shocking incident is a stark reminder of the growing concern of career criminals terrorizing major cities, with one particularly disturbing case involving a 26-year-old woman being set ablaze on a CTA train by a suspect who was on electronic monitoring.
The suspect in that case, 50-year-old Lawrence Reed, was charged with committing a terrorist attack against a mass transportation system, highlighting the urgent need for increased safety measures and stricter accountability for repeat offenders.
