PSP: Woman arrested after argument with bus driver | Local news

Upon arrival, officers located 40-year-old Lindsay Rae Johnson of 4215 Mulberry Lane, Murrysville, sitting in the driver's seat of a Westmoreland County Transit Authority bus. Officers immediately placed her under arrest.

The bus driver told police he picked Johnson up from her home and she was “acting very strange” during the ride, court records say. When the driver arrived at his next scheduled stop, the defendant accused him of stealing her belongings.

Johnson then allegedly confronted the victim and tried to take off his sweatshirt. The driver pulled out the ignition key and left the bus, followed by Johnson.

The driver managed to lock the bus door before Johnson attacked him, “punching the victim several times and grabbing his genitals,” according to court documents.

Johnson managed to take the bus keys from the victim, then opened the bus door and “jumped into the driver's seat of the vehicle” before police arrived at the scene.

Investigators said Johnson was taken off the bus, “placed into a patrol vehicle and immediately fell asleep.” Paramedics were dispatched to examine the defendant, who was later taken to Independence Health System Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg.

When Johnson's belongings were recovered from the bus, an open pack of cigarettes was found. Investigators said the pack contained four grams of methamphetamine.

Johnson was arraigned at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 27, before Magistrate Court Judge Jason Buczak.

Johnson was charged with robbery with violence and attempted theft by unauthorized taking (both third-degree felonies); possession of a controlled substance and use/possession of drug paraphernalia (both non-aggravated misdemeanors), and misdemeanors (engaging in a fight and harassment).

Johnson was remanded to the Westmoreland County Jail on $25,000 bail.

An online prison inmate search conducted Wednesday evening, August 28, confirmed that Johnson is still incarcerated at the Hempfield Township Correctional Facility.

Johnson is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing before Buczak on September 9 at 11:30 a.m.