A furious Florida dad was arrested for allegedly attacking a school employee after learning his son had been banned from riding the school bus.
Esdra Burges-Cruz, 50, is accused of storming onto a school bus on May 2 while it was stopped in Ocala and striking the employee in the chest, according to an arrest report from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office obtained by Fox 35.
The bus was loaded with students at the time and the incident caused a delay for the bus, police said.
Burges-Cruz allegedly approached the bus and asked the driver if he could get on.
When the driver told him he couldn’t, Burges-Cruz told him to “shut the f–k up” and boarded anyway.
Once on the bus, he began yelling at the bus aide, video of the altercation released by the sheriff’s office on Friday shows.
Burges-Cruz then slaps the man in the chest with what appears to be an open hand, according to the clip.
Esdra Burges-Cruz (right) hopped on a bus in Marion County and hit a bus aide, according to police. Marion County Sheriff's Office
Burges-Cruz claimed he boarded the bus with permission and denied ever striking anyone. Marion County Sheriff's OfficeStudents can be heard screaming after he strikes the aide.
“If I hear something else about my son, you’re gonna see what’s gonna happen,” Burges-Cruz menacingly tells the bus aide, waving a piece of paper at him before getting off the bus.
Police went to Burges-Cruz’s home and questioned him about the incident.
He told police he boarded the bus with permission and denied ever striking anyone, Fox 35 reported.
On May 3, a student approached a school resource officer at Lake Weir Middle School and said they recorded Burges-Cruz hitting the bus aide.
Burges-Cruz was charged with battery, burglary and disturbing the peace. Marion County Sheriff's OfficeAfter reviewing the footage, police arrested Burges-Cruz for assault.
“We believe the arrest speaks loudly and will help the community better understand we expect adults to behave appropriately in the same way we expect our students to behave appropriately,” the Marion County School District told the outlet in a statement.
Burges-Cruz, who has no prior convictions, was charged with battery on a public or private education employee and burglary — each a felony — and disturbing the peace at a school function.
He was taken to the Marion County Jail without incident and his bond was set at $17,500.
