Cops: Former Bus Driver Steals City Bus After Driver Tells Her to Stop Smoking

A former municipal bus driver lit a cigarette on a New York City bus and then hijacked the vehicle after the driver told her to stop smoking.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority identified the woman as Charita Headley, 34, according to WCBS. She had previously been employed as a driver but was fired last year for poor attendance, the agency said.

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The incident started about 7 a.m. at the 96th Street stop in East Harlem when the driver told Headley to stop smoking and get off the bus, the MTA said.

While the bus was taken out of commission and passengers were getting off, Headly jumped into the driver's seat and took off, authorities said.

She drove a few blocks and stopped at 100th Street, where unaware passengers waiting at the stop began boarding the bus, officials said.

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A MTA employee was able to reach inside the driver's window and shut down the bus.

Headly was taken into custody and taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation, authorities said. She was charged with unathorized use of a vehicle. It was unclear whether she had entered a plea.

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