Man Arrested For Allegedly Punching Female Sun Metro Driver
El Paso Police have charged a 53-year old Northeast man with Assault and Robbery after he allegedly punched a Sun Metro bus driver and later allegedly robbed a woman.
El Paso Police said that Mario Padilla, of the 4000 block of Thomason, at about 6:13 p.m. Tuesday, entered the Sun Metro Bus at the 9100 block of Dyer and refused to follow bus rules and began to argue with passengers and the bus driver.
The bus driver/victim, a 49-year old female, was forced to a stop the bus in the 6200 block of Dyer due to Padilla’s actions. Padilla was asked to exit the bus and allegedly became confrontational with the driver, telling the driver that he was from a prison gang and then punched her in the face with his fist. Padilla then exited the bus.
At 7 p.m., officers respond to a robbery that occurred at 5830 Dyer. Police said that Mario Padilla approached a 21-year old female as she walked to her vehicle in the 7-11 parking lot and asked for money. The victim walked past Padilla and as she approached her vehicle Padilla allegedly pushed her to the ground and said “give me all your money or I’m gong to kill you.”
The victim gave Padilla the money she had from her purse as Padilla allegedly yelled, “is that all you have?” Police said Padilla then went through the victim’s purse and fled when there was no more money. Padilla was located a short distance away at his apartment, identified as being responsible for both crimes and was taken into custody. Padilla was charged and booked on the Assault, the Robbery and three outstanding municipal warrants. His bonds totaled $13,164.30.
