Police arrest woman who allegedly took control of city bus, drove away

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

A Lawrence Police Department patrol vehicle is pictured June 28, 2022.

Lawrence police arrested a woman on Friday after she allegedly took control of a Lawrence Transit bus and drove it away.

Police said on social media that around 11:15 a.m. on Friday, the woman forced her way into the driver’s seat of the bus shortly after the driver and two passengers exited at Central Station, 2315 Bob Billings Parkway. The woman allegedly drove the bus north on Iowa Street, east on Sixth Street and north on Maine Street, reaching speeds of 35 to 40 mph.

The post said officers were able to surround the bus near Second and Michigan streets. Police then took the woman into custody without incident and transported her to a hospital for evaluation. No one was injured, the release said.