A police chase involving a Greyhound bus ended near the Illinois and Wisconsin state line after there were reports of a gunman on board who threatened to shoot people.
Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said they received 911 calls at 9:45 p.m. Friday about a man on a Greyhound bus that threatened to shoot and kill passengers on the bus. Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said during a press conference on Saturday that police responded and tried to pullover the bus, which did not stop.
The Wisconsin State Patrol, Racine County Sheriff, Lake County Sheriff, Illinois State Police, Kenosha County Sheriff, and numerous other police departments began chasing the bus southbound on Interstate 94. Spike strips were deployed and two of the tires on the bus were blown out. The bus eventually came to a stop southbound on Interstate 94 near Route 173 in Wadsworth, Illinois.
Margarito Vargas Rosa, 33, of Chicago, was ordered off the bus at gunpoint. Officials said he was reluctant to get off but was eventually taken into custody without incident.
Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said the bus driver did not stop the bus because he thought the police were pulling someone else over and that it was a training exercise.
There were 37 people on the bus including the suspect and driver. Sheriff’s officials said that a verbal argument took place between Vargas Rosa and two passengers. Vargas Rosa then made threats to kill people on the bus.
Vargas Rosa is being charged with making terrorist threats and disorderly conduct. Sheriff’s officials also said that he threatened to kill police officers while he was being transported to the Lake County Jail and also threatened to kill police investigators while he was being interviewed.
Vargas Rosa works at a restaurant in Milwaukee, police said. He has previously been deported from the United States and is currently here illegally.
Police have not yet found a gun however the Greyhound bus has been seized and will be searched. No one was injured during the incident.