Man threatens to bean T bus driver for driving too slow

Transit Police report arresting a Somerville man after he allegedly threatened a T bus driver with a five-pound wooden block for not going fast enough for his tastes.

Police say Wakell Steele, 22, of Somerville, got on a bus in Davis Square like a normal person shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Friday but that he exploded in indignant anger a few minutes later on Highland Avenue near Benton Road:

As the operator was traveling along the route Steele activated the stop request signal. The operator/victim pulled over at the next available stop. At this time Steele approached the victim and demanded his money back accusing the victim of "F***ING driving to slowly". At this time Steele quickly picked up a chock block located near the storage compartment of the front of the bus. A chock block is a large block of wood weighing approximately 5 pounds. The block is used to secure the tires when the bus is not in use. Steele now armed with the chock block took an aggressive stance and again demanded he be refunded his bus fare repeating the victim drove to slowly. The victim was in fear of being struck.

The victim got out from his seat and exited the bus pushing past Steele. The victim pointed out Steele to officers who was now walking towards Central Street. Officers caught up to him and attempted to engage him in conversation. Steele responded by challenging the officers to remove their duty belts essentially opining officers are only "tough" with their guns on.

Steele was arrested on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon. Officers then gave him a ride to TPD headquarters on Southampton Street in Boston; police did not say if they drove him there quickly.

Innocent, etc.