BOSTON — A woman was kidnapped and sexually attacked on an MBTA bus by the driver, police said.
The driver worked for Paul Revere Transportation, which is a contractor for the MBTA. The woman was able to record audio and police say that helped them piece together the case. Police say they also got surveillance video from the bus.
Police say the sexual assault happened on the 713 bus after it left the Orient Heights station -- and the bus driver, Ali Ennab, was the attacker.
Some riders telling us they are shocked it was the driver.
“It puts more fear on me because I’m a young lady,” one rider said.
“You never know like, or who is who until you know them,” another woman told us.
Police say the victim was on her way home from work Sunday night. While on the phone with her husband she realized she missed her stop. Police say when she asked the driver to help her get back he refused -- and instead pulled over, sat down next to her and tried to kiss her at one point saying he could get the victim a green card.
In court documents, police wrote, “she begged for him to stop and to open the door but he continued assaulting her.” Police say the bus driver said “I’m boyfriend for you, it’s OK”.
The MBTA bus is operated by Paul Revere Transportation. In a statement sent to us, the company said:
“Paul Revere was shaken to learn about the allegations against an on-duty operator that were reported on Saturday, April 24th. Our hearts go out to the alleged victim in this matter. While we are prohibited from commenting directly about underlying allegations, Paul Revere maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding any alleged criminal activity by any employee. In addition to suspending the employee, the company immediately assisted the MBTA Transit Police Department with detention and arrest of the suspect. Paul Revere will continue to cooperate fully with authorities on all matters related to the ongoing investigation.”
MBTA also sent this statement: “These disturbing allegations are abhorrent and intolerable. The MBTA is cooperating fully with law enforcement personnel, including Transit Police and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. This individual will no longer operate a bus for the MBTA.”
The bus driver told police he only stopped the bus for 5 minutes to eat his dinner but police say the video shows the sexual assault when the bus was stopped.
The driver did undergo a CORI criminal background check and we are told there were no priors but the company is looking into whether he was arrested for another crime after the CORI and before he started.
The driver is on leave while the case is pending.
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