Bus stolen from busy Manhattan terminal

A 55-seat motorcoach owned by Peter Pan Bus Lines was stolen from a crowded Port Authority of New York Bus Terminal in broad daylight Sunday, and police were unaware of the incident until nearly seven hours later.

The bus was backed out of the terminal, driven away, and then finally discovered parked outside Kennedy International Airport. Police said an intoxicated former bus driver was found sitting in the front seat.

Investigators were unable to charge the man with auto theft, because no one actually saw him take the bus. However, he was charged with criminal possession of stolen property, unauthorized vehicle use and driving while intoxicated. The 42-year-old suspect’s motive remains a mystery.

A spokesman for Peter Pan told the New York Times that the company learned of the missing bus at 10 a.m. Sunday. The company wanted to be sure that the bus was stolen before alerting authorities, and that didn't take place until about 5 p.m.