SMART move: Bus tracks down thief
By BILL LAITNER • Free Press staff writer • March 5, 2009
SMART bus driver Joe Butler veered off 8 Mile in Ferndale at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday to chase a teen who got off after stealing a rider’s cell phone, police said.
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Butler drove up a side street, saw the youth run into a yard, then circled the block to spot him emerging onto Livernois, while keeping police informed, said Ferndale Lt. William Wilson.
“Our officers were able to stop the suspect nearby, and with eye witness identification by bus passengers, they arrested him,” Wilson said Wednesday. The phone was returned to a 37-year-old Detroit woman, he said.
“We hope this doesn’t get the bus driver in trouble” for leaving his route, Wilson said.
SMART spokeswoman Beth Dryden said that Butler, 59, of Detroit “certainly wouldn’t be disciplined. We’re very happy he was able to bring this situation to a positive close.”
“Our drivers go through a lot of training” although “none of it covers situations like this,” she said. Regarding Butler, she added, “I anticipate that he’ll be lauded” although she did not know what kind of recognition the driver, a 22-year veteran, would receive.
The suspect — Marques Engram, 19, of Detroit — was arraigned Wednesday for larceny from a person, a 10-year felony. Police said they expected Engram to be in Oakland County jail by Wednesday night after he failed to post bond.