MBTA contract driver accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting passenger on bus

BOSTON — An MBTA contract driver is accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a female passenger while she rode the bus home from work.

Ali Ennab, 45, of Revere, was arraigned in Boston Municipal Court Tuesday on charges of kidnapping, assault of rape, and indecent assault and battery of a woman passenger. He is accused of attacking the woman on Sunday after she had missed her stop and was the only remaining person on the bus.

Prosecutors asked for $25,000 bail and several conditions including surrender of Ennab’s passport, that he remain in Massachusetts, stay away from the victim, not work as a bus driver or any transportation company for hire, and submitting to GPS tracking. The judge set bail at $10,000 cash and granted all requested conditions besides the requirement to stay in Massachusetts and instead required home confinement.

Prosecutors also filed a motion to revoke bail on an assault and battery case out of Malden, which was allowed.

Some MBTA riders say they’ll be taking extra precautions after learning a city bus driver was arrested for sexually assaulting a passenger.

“I keep pepper spray on me for that kind of thing and I try to get all my friends to get pepper spray for that exact reason,” said Lillian Balboa, who rides the MBTA bus. “That’s kind of terrifying, I ride the bus all the time to and from work to go anywhere into the city, so that’s kind of devastating to hear.”

Other riders say now they may try to not ride the bus alone, especially at night.

“Being at the local college we’re riding the bus a lot, so that’s definitely concerning because if I’m going by myself I want to know I’m relying on them for my safety,” said Angelina Welch, who rides the bus from UMass Boston. “That’s a little concerning that people we’re supposed to trust we no longer can trust.”

“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 Boston 25.

Surveillance video captured the victim boarding the #713 bus from Orient Heights to Winthrop when the alleged assault occurred.

Ennab, the bus driver, picked up the victim, who does not speak English, at 7:20 p.m. 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.

Officials said Ennab then shut the bus off, got up, sat down next to the victim, and started sexually assaulting her. The victim told police that she then asked the driver to open to door of the bus, but the driver kept asking for her number and refused to open the doors, officials say.

In court documents, police wrote “she begged for him to stop and to open the door but he continued assaulting her.”

Shortly after, the victim asked he open the door again. He then lunged at her, ripping her mask off, and continued to make sexual advances on the woman, police said. The victim then started to record the assault on her phone.

In the audio, the victim could be heard in Spanish begging for the driver to stop and open the door. He responds, “Me, I’m boyfriend for you, it’s okay.” Another unidentified woman walked near the bus, causing the driver to open the door and allow the victim to leave.

Paul Revere Transportation released this statement:

“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 the detention and arrest of the suspect. Paul Revere will continue to cooperate fully with authorities on all matters related to the ongoing investigation.”

—  Paul Revere Transportation

The 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 Boston 25 has learned 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.

“To state the obvious: A woman should be able to ride a public bus without fear of kidnap and sexual assault. Women, just like all people, have the right to not be harassed, violated, harmed, or objectified,’' said Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins.

“As I have said, fathers need to start speaking to their sons, and men need to tell their brothers, friends, and colleagues about a new vision of masculinity where men are working to end violence against women and girls,” Rollins said. “The allegations outlined in this case are deeply disturbing.”

Ennab is due back in court on May 25.

Those who may be a victim of a similar incident can contact the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center’s 24-hour hotline at 800-841-8371.