The Greyhound bus driver, who unintentionally lead police on a 17-mile interstate chase after passengers called 911 to report a possible gunman aboard, has been removed from duty.
The Patch reported on Tuesday that prosecutors have not charged the bus driver but Greyhound has removed the driver from duty while they investigate.
Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said they received 911 calls at 9:45 p.m. on 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. Police said he did not threaten the bus driver and the bus driver was not aware of what had happened until police got the bus stopped.
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 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 after they seized the Greyhound bus and searched it. No one was injured during the incident.
Vargas Rosa is being held without bond in the Lake County Jail following a bond hearing on Sunday. Vargas Rosa is being held pending extradition to Racine County, Wisconsin.