Police: Man arrested after making bomb threat, attempting to steal CATS bus in uptown

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have arrested a man after they said he attempted to steal a CATS bus while saying he had a bomb in the heart of uptown Charlotte.

The situation unfolded around 5:15 p.m. during Friday rush hour at the Charlotte Transportation Center on East Trade Street, across from the Spectrum Center.

Police said Justino DeJesus tried to steal a CATS bus. The bus driver told police DeJesus threatened he had a bomb and was going to take the bus.

(Justino DeJesus)

Officials said DeJesus tried to run away, but Transit Police caught up with him.

Authorities said officers did not find any explosives, but bus riders said it is still concerning.

"That's the first time I've heard anything like this. That's something you'd see on TV," bus rider Canaan Edwards said.

It is unknown at this time if any passengers were on board the bus.

Two weeks ago, Channel 9 reported Charlotte city councilmember Braxton Winston wanted the city to consider transitioning police service at CATS centers to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

Right now, a third party company offers those services.

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