Bus Pickpocket Apprehended After Driver's Quick Thinking

A pickpocket who attempted to rob a woman while riding the bus Friday morning was arrested within minutes due to the quick responses of a bus driver, a good samaritan and a three-man team from the .

At approximately 11:34 a.m., a 23-year-old female and her 2-year-old daughter boarded the B57 bus at Smith-9th Street, cops said. While boarding, she was approached by Bryan Medina, 30, who offered to help with her bags. The woman declined the offer and took her seat, with Medina sitting down directly behind her, cops said.

Shortly after, the woman felt a slight tug on her purse. She looked behind her and noticed that Medina was holding a phone with the same case as hers. Then upon searching for her own phone, she discovered it was missing from her bag, cops stated.

“He stole my phone!” she reportedly yelled out to the surrounding passengers.

The bus driver quickly pulled over and locked the doors, cops said. He asked for the woman's number and, upon dialing it, the phone that was in Medina's hands began to ring. The driver then immediately called 311 to alert the police.

Minutes later, just as the crime team was arriving on the scene, Medina jumped out of the bus via the emergency seat's window. A 52-year-old good samaritan on board then ran after the crook, with members of the 76 Precinct following right behind.

“There he goes!” people on board B57 were heard calling to the cops and yelling at the crook, “Shame on you! You did that to a woman!”  

The good samaritan then knocked Medina to the ground, enabling Sgt. Patrick Quigley, Officer Julio Rodrigues and Officer Richard Aseng to apprehend the individual. After a brief struggle, the cops recovered the woman's phone and took Medina into custody.

Officer Rodriguez stated that everyone was very happy to see the pickpocket arrested.

If you were ever subjected to a crime by Bryan Medina in the past but did not report it, the 76 Precinct is requesting all previous victims please come forward.