On July 15, 2022 at approximately 6:30PM Transit Police officers assigned to the North District received a radio call to respond to the area of Highland Ave and Benton Street in Somerville for an MBTA bus operator who was being threatened by a passenger. Upon arrival officers met with the T operator who relayed the following: A male, later identified as Wakell Steele, 22, of Somerville boarded the victim's bus at Davis Sq. 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 slow". 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 slow. 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 placed into custody for Assault by Mean of a Dangerous Weapon and transported to TPD HQ for the arrest booking process.
media inquiries should be directed to Superintendent Richard Sullivan at rsullivan@mbta.com the events listed above are allegations; All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt
