Bus driver charged with punching ‘McGruff’

WASHINGTON – Washington D.C. police said a Metro bus driver was charged with assault Saturday after a bizarre incident in which he allegedly punched a patrol officer who was dressed as McGruff the Crime Dog, the popular mascot who educates children about crime prevention.

The driver, Shawn Brim, 39, got out of the bus he was driving early Saturday afternoon and punched Officer Tyrone Hardy in the head, police said.

Hardy was wearing his McGruff costume head at the time.

Police said Brim was charged with simple assault.

Metro spokeswoman Candace Smith said Brim was driving the No. 52 bus when he stopped. She said Brim got out to adjust the mirrors, then allegedly punched the costumed officer.

Brim then got back on the bus and drove for a few blocks until police stopped him, Smith said.

A Metrobus supervisor who went to the scene was told by Brim that he punched the big, droopy-eared crime dog “to be funny,” Smith said.

“Obviously, no one here finds it funny, and we don’t tolerate that kind of behavior from our employees,” Smith said.