Police have arrested a 30-year-old man after a series of pins were found stuck into KMB bus seats.
At least nine different reports of pins and needles found embedded in bus seats had been received since last Wednesday.
A 30-year-old man of Chinese nationality was arrested on Wednesday night, Chan Yan, Acting Superintendent (Crime) of Sha Tin district, told reporters on Thursday. The suspect lived at Cheung Fat Estate in Tsing Yi.
“According to the information on hand, the motive of the culprit may be related to his grievances related to the bus services,” he said, adding that his dissatisfaction may stem from buses not stopping at designated stops, causing him to be unable to board.
Police took the suspect back to his apartment to conduct a search Thursday afternoon. They found seven sewing needles, four of which were consistent with the length of those found on buses. The suspect was then put into a vehicle and taken away by police as reporters surrounded them.
Chan said the suspect was believed to be involved in at least three of the nine cases. The incidents occurred on routes 41A, 48X and 81. The investigation included analysing the bus routes and the timing of the incidents.
He added that police found no record of mental illness or any links with the KMB company.
“Police do not rule out that others may be arrested in the future,” he said.
He warned others considering similar crimes that they could face up to three years in prison for wounding, and up to life imprisonment if the victim is maimed or disfigured.
Two female passengers suffered minor injuries on their thighs from the objects. Following the discoveries, KMB asked its drivers to inspect both levels after completing their shifts. The company reported the case to the police and strongly condemned the culprit, but similar incidents continued to occur.
Most recently, three needles were found in the seats of 59M and another on 235M on Wednesday.
KMB has also filed police reports over bus seats being slashed.
