NEWTOWN -- A Bridgeport bus driver is facing criminal charges after police said he inappropriately touched an 11-year-old girl.
On February 28, state police said they began an investigation after receiving a complaint of sexual contact between an 11-year-old female victim and a bus driver for Connecticut Transportation Services, LLC.
Police said the incident happened on January 25, 2017. According to the warrant, the victim reported the incident to her foster mother that date, but confusion over who the bus driver was, and where the assault took place, delayed the Department of Children and Families from reporting the incident to State Police.
After initially interviewing a driver who transported the victim frequently, investigators determined that another driver, Luis Cruz, had transported her on the date in question.
"State Police detectives reported that the 11-year-old victim reported that while being transported on the bus, the bus driver, Luis Cruz, touched her inappropriately," said police. Police said in the assault took place in the parking lot of the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Chet Doheny, President and CEO of Connecticut Transportation Solutions said in a statement, "The driver in this case met all mandated requirements and when concerns were brought to our attention we took immediate action, including contacting police and other appropriate state agencies as well as terminating employment. We have and will continue to support the Connecticut State Police in this investigation."
After a lengthy investigation, a warrant was granted for Cruz's arrest.
On June 21 around 6 P.M., Luis Cruz, 39, of Bridgeport turned himself in to the police. Cruz was charged with sexual assault, risk of injury to a minor, and illegal sexual contact of a victim less than age 16.
Cruz was held on $20,000 bond and scheduled to appear in court on June 22.