SEPTA Bus Driver Helps Nab Suspect In Northeast Philly

July 23, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, PA – You won’t find this story on the big screen. If you did, it would hardly rival the Batman, Hulk, or X-Men movies, but perhaps it is more significant.

SEPTA bus operator Harry Haus doesn’t wear a mask or a cape. As a matter of fact, the 18-year SEPTA veteran’s outfit bares the SEPTA emblem on his sleeve as he normally tackles the often unforgiving streets of Philadelphia operating the SEPTA Route 14 or 20 bus; but on one night in July, he came to the rescue.

During its regular Board meeting, SEPTA recently recognized Harry’s heroic actions on the evening of Wednesday, June 9th when he rendered aid to Philadelphia Police officers in their attempt to restrain a violent burglary suspect at Bustleton & Harbison Avenues.

“I was on my way home after my shift when I saw an officer struggling with a pretty big guy, but no one was helping him. The man hit the officer in the nose and knocked his gun loose,” said Haus.“A second officer arrived and secured the loose gun. I pulled my car over, ran over and grabbed the person's arm and held it behind his back, so the second officer could handcuff him. I really didn’t think about it. They just needed help.”

“Mr. Haus typifies our SEPTA employees that go above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis,” said SEPTA General Manager Joseph Casey. Mr. Haus went the extra mile at perhaps the most important time by assisting these Philadelphia Police officers. We are proud of his unselfish actions and we are thankful he was not injured during the altercation.”

Capt. McCarrick of Philadelphia’s 2nd Police District remarked, “If not for the heroic assistance of Mr. Haus, this situation could have been a lot worse. It’s nice to see that someone knows that the police can’t keep our streets safe by ourselves. We look for help from the community.”

So the next time you get on a bus, train, or trolley, you may find yourself sitting beside the next “superhero.”