Saskatoon’s iconic red bus reopens after attack by man wielding bike lock

A popular downtown spot to grab a summer treat has reopened after it was damaged Sunday by a man wielding a bike lock.

Police received a call around 6 p.m. about a man smashing windows on the iconic double decker bus near the Bessborough hotel.

(Allen Malberg/Submitted photo)

Bus Stop Refreshment’s owner Allen Malberg was not at the scene during the attack, but told 650 CKOM News he heard the cries for help from his frantic staff who phoned to tell him what was happening. He said the girls hid in the upstairs bathroom to protect themselves from the broken glass.

“When we got there, there was windows broken, glass everywhere, girls crying.”

“There were phones broken, fridges broken with the girls trying to get away,” said Malberg who estimates damage to be over $5,000.

Malberg said the man was not a customer and had been hanging around the bus for some time. He was asked to leave by an employee who was enforcing social distancing rules.

“A few seconds later, when she was going back to her post, where she stands. That’s when he started,” he said.

Video taken by a bystander shows a man climbing onto an ice cooler behind the bus and smashing the windows on the second floor before walking away.

Editors Note: Warning video contains strong language.

This video shows a man allegedly attacking Bus Stop Refreshments with a bike lock on the weekend. Police arrested a man minutes later and charged him with mischief #yxe pic.twitter.com/vsOj3b78x0

— Brent Bosker (@brentbosker) May 20, 2020

Police arrested a 43-year-old man without incident and charged him with mischief over $5,000. Police spokesperson Alyson Edwards said they believe the accused was under the influence of an intoxicant at the time.

(Allen Malberg/Submitted photo)

The employees at the refreshment stand were not injured, however one girl was hit in the eye with a shard of glass.

Malberg said the incident took an emotional toll on him and his staff.

“Most of them are good, but emotionally just can’t believe it happened. “One (employee) in particular had some anxiety over the whole thing.”

Malberg is adding cameras to increase safety and is hoping to have the windows replaced soon.