Newark police seek suspect in bus assault and pepper-spraying

A man is accused of assaulting and pepper-spraying a woman aboard a New Jersey transit bus in Newark on Monday evening. The incident occurred around 7:15 p.m. on Bus 25 near Bergen Street and Springfield Avenue.

According to Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda Sr., the confrontation began after the bus stopped abruptly, causing the woman to bump into a child traveling with the suspect. Despite the woman offering an apology, the suspect allegedly began yelling, punched her in the face and head, and subsequently pepper-sprayed her during a struggle before fleeing the scene.

Emergency medical personnel treated the victim at the scene by rinsing her eyes before she was transported to University Hospital. Newark police are currently reviewing surveillance footage to identify the suspect and are requesting assistance from the public via the Crime Stoppers tip line.