A man was arrested Friday afternoon after assaulting a MAX train operator.
The train was travelling toward the 102nd Avenue/East Burnside station when a man started yelling about First Amendment rights and making other unintelligible sounds.
The operator used the train's public address system to ask to man to not be disruptive or yell while on the train.
The operator also informed the man he would be asked to exit the train if he continued to be disruptive. The suspect continued to scream.
Once the train arrived at the East Burnside Street and 102nd Avenue Transit Station the operator attempted to contact the suspect. As the train operator approached the disruptive suspect, the suspect struck the TriMet operator with his hands and feet. TriMet riders came to the aid of the operator and moved the suspect away from the TriMet operator. The suspect left the train and shortly thereafter was arrested.
Medical personnel responded and provided medical aid to the TriMet operator. The TriMet operator did not receive serious injury and did not require transport by ambulance to the hospital.
The suspect, 23-year-old Steven Caldwell was booked into the Multnomah County Jail on charges of Assault in the Fourth Degree, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, Interfering with Public Transportation, and Interfering with a Peace Officer.
It is believed there are witnesses that left the transit station prior to being contacted by police. Persons who witnessed or may have video recordings of this incident should contact the police at 503.823.3333.