Langley man's transit rampage stopped by good samaritans

Two Langley men are being credited with stopping a violent rampage against bus drivers and riders at Willowbrook Mall.

The incident allegedly took place on May 3 at around 4 p.m. when 18 year old Lance James Flegel, appearing to be drunk, got on a shuttlebus and passed out on the way to the Willowbrook Mall bus loop.

The driver of the shuttlebus, anticipating Flegel would be uncooperative, met with another bus driver when they arrived at the bus loop. Both drivers approached Flegel and asked him to leave the bus, but he refused and starting throwing punches at the drivers.

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Neither were hit and Flegel then got off the bus, where a group of riders had gathered. Police allege he then pulled out a knife and attempted to stab one of the riders. Luckily, he once again missed his target.

That’s when a random vehicle arrived at the loop. Two men got out and one of them kicked the knife out of Flegel’s hand. The other picked up the knife and then both got back in the car and simply drove off.

Undeterred, a disarmed Flegel tried to board another shuttle bus.  When the driver refused him service, he took another swing – thankfully, another missed punch.

Police arrived shortly after and Flegel was arrested. He has been charged with Assault, Assault with a Weapon, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and two counts of Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose.

“We are very alive to the potential for danger to the bus drivers and take these investigations very seriously,” says Inspector Murray Power, Operations Support Officer, Langley RCMP.

“We are extremely happy that no one was hurt in this instance.”

Flegel is next appearing in Surrey Provincial Court on May 7.

Featured Image: Geoff Petrie