Swarming on bus after Bluesfest ‘calculated’

It was bedlam Saturday evening as a packed OC Transpo bus exited RBC Ottawa Bluesfest following a concert by Shawn Mendes at LeBreton Flats.

Special constables with OC Transpo responded to an alleged swarming and robbery on the bus by apprehending some suspects and calling for Ottawa police. The incident, involving multiple alleged victims, occurred shortly before midnight on Slater Street, just east of Bronson Avenue.

A half-dozen police cars arrived on the scene within minutes. Staff Sgt. Scott Pettis said Sunday that the police and special constables chased a few men who had fled the scene.

“There was confusion, bystanders, a lot of people and witnesses,” he said. “The bus was full.”

Pettis added that police “have some persons of interest, but we’re still trying to establish who was involved.”

Police said they had a smartphone video of some of the events on the bus, supplied by a bystander. Given the number of individuals on the bus at the time, it’s not clear if the video will help with the investigation.

Police believe the swarming was “calculated and planned,” and warn festivalgoers to be on guard when attending future concerts. “These guys knew what they were doing,” Pettis said.

He added that police were interviewing multiple eyewitnesses and trying to locate “a few people who were there and left early.”