Butler man stormed onto school bus and threatened students, police say

Butler police arrested a city man Thursday evening after they say he got onto a school bus and threatened students earlier in the day.

Police said an officer stopped Clifford Jenkins Anderson, 43, while he was driving and arrested him without incident.

In Anderson’s arrest papers, police said a school bus driver with Valley Lines called 911 shortly after 8 a.m. to report that a man had gotten on her bus earlier that morning and made threats.

According to police, the driver told an officer that the incident happened about 7 a.m. when she was picking up students at Lincoln Avenue and Eola Street on her way to McQuistion Elementary School. The stop is not far from Anderson’s home.

The driver told police that she ordered the man to get off the bus after realizing he was not a student. She said the man held up his index finger and said, “Hold on.”

While looking at students and the driver, police said he used a profane word in telling them in a loud voice to not mess with his nephew.

Police Chief Robert O’Neill said there was no physical altercation and no one was hurt. He did not know whether Anderson’s nephew was on the bus.

O’Neill said the incident was prompted by a dispute among the children.

When police reviewed video footage from the bus, officers identified the man as Anderson.

Police said Anderson’s vehicle was seen on video near the bus stop at the time of the incident. In the video, police say Anderson is seen getting out of his vehicle, approaching the bus and getting on it.

Police charged Anderson with misdemeanor counts of making terroristic threats, unauthorized school bus entry and harassment. He was arraigned Thursday and sent to Butler County Prison on $20,000 bail.

Anderson did not have an attorney listed in court records.

Anderson is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Oct. 17 before District Judge William T. Fullerton.