Police: Man pepper sprayed after drinking on NJ Transit bus, threatening driver at Bayonne stop

A man was pepper sprayed after drinking alcohol on an NJ Transit bus, threatening the driver after he was told to clean up his trash and ultimately pepper sprayed by police when he refused to leave on his own accord, authorities said.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

Antwan L. Robinson, 50, of Newark, was charged with simple assault, resisting arrest, interference with transportation, and disorderly conduct, according to Police Capt. Eric Amato.

Robinson was taken into custody at about 11:21 p.m. yesterday from the area of 24th Street and Avenue C. Officers responded to the area on a report of an unruly man causing a disturbance on a NJ Transit bus stopped at 24th Street and Avenue C.

According to the bus driver and witnesses, after observing Robinson consuming an alcoholic beverage on the bus and leaving trash in the area, the driver requested that he clean up the mess before he exited.

As the driver continued to operate the bus, Robinson immediately became irate and approached the driver while thrusting his cellphone in her face, causing the driver to believe she was about to be assaulted.

The driver then stopped the bus, since Robinson’s actions were making it difficult to safely drive. She then ordered Robinson to back away from the driver’s area, but he refused to comply as he attempted to take photos of her.

At this time, the police were notified and responded. As officers arrived, they encountered Robinson on the bus in an agitated state.

As officers attempted to convince Robinson to voluntarily disembark from the bus, he bladed his body and took a fighting stance, clenching his fists as well.

After numerous commands to step off of the bus were ignored by Robinson as he continued to behave aggressively with the officers, a burst of pepper spray was deployed. Robinson then immediately disembarked from the bus.

As officers attempted to arrest him and place him into handcuffs, he resisted by tensing up his arms. He was eventually handcuffed and transported to the Bayonne Medical Center to be treated, police said.