Bike-toting passenger assaults Muni agent

A man carrying a bike into Van Ness Station was caught on video assaulting a Muni station agent simply doing his job: Enforcing the transit agency’s policy against bikes on Metro trains.

San Francisco police have posted surveillance video from Oct. 10 showing a man with a suitcase and a bicycle rushing down the stairs to the platform at Van Ness station. He can be seen putting down his things on the platform delivering a big right-footed kick to an off-screen station agent at the bottom of the stairs.

The platform was full of passengers at the time, about about 7:30 p.m. on a Wednesday night.

Police told Bay City News the incident began at the fare gates when the suspect tried to pass through pay gates with his bicycle. After being warned by the station agent, he lifted the bike over the railing before jumping over and headiing to the platform.

The suspect dashed out of the station and back onto city streets after the attack. Police said he was last seen on the corner of Van Ness and Market.

In a statement, John Haley, SFMTA director of transit operations said:

“We need the help of our riding public to bring this individual to justice as soon as possible.”

If you recognize or know the suspect in the surveillance video, police ask that you contact their Muni task force at 415-832-8338. Anonymous tipsters can call 415-575-4444 or text TIP411.