WITH the help of Burnaby RCMP, Metro Vancouver Transit Police have identified a suspect believed to be involved in the assault of a bus operator.

On October 29, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Transit Police investigated a report that a bus operator had been spat on. This incident occurred on-board a bus, in Burnaby, in the area of Canada Way and Hardwick.

This case received substantial media attention after a passenger on that bus posted a video of the incident on social media. The video depicts a man violently kicking at the bus doors, turning and allegedly spitting on a bus operator before leaving the bus.

Early Thursday morning, Transit Police were notified by Burnaby RCMP, that they had identified the suspect involved in this assault after apprehending him under the Mental Health Act for an unrelated matter. Arresting officers recognized the man as the suspect in the social media post. Transit Police investigators will continue to follow-up on this file regarding the potential for any charges related to this incident.

Given the medical circumstances surrounding this file, no further information will be provided at this time, Transit Police said.