Police: Man Gropes Woman in Bellevue After Altercation on Metro Bus

Charges of felony assault have been filed against a homeless man accused of breaking the window of a King County Metro bus and proceeding to physically attack a female passenger on a Bellevue street.

The incident began at around 8 p.m. March 30 when Walter J. Jimerson Jr., 57, tried to engage a female passenger in conversation aboard the 234 bus, according to charging documents filed in King County Superior Court.

The woman ignored him and tried to move closer to the bus driver to get away from him—causing Jimerson to become more agitated and begin yelling profanities at other passengers, according to the documents. When the bus driver instructed him to calm down, Jimerson allegedly called her a "fat bitch" and other profane names.

The driver stopped the bus on 116th Avenue Northeast near Northeast 12th Street and ordered Jimerson off. After exiting, he allegedly hit the bus several times with his bag and hands, shattering the glass on the driver's window.

The passenger got off the bus near State Route 520 and told police she saw Jimerson coming toward her as she walked to her apartment. As the woman tried to avoid him, Jimerson allegedly grabbed her dress and touched her breasts with his hand. He let go when she struck him in the chest with her palm, and she ran toward her apartment.

Prosecutors say a forensic investigator with Bellevue Police was able to lift Jimerson's finger print from the bus windows, and the bus driver positively identified him from a lineup. The passenger was not able to successfully pick Jimerson out from the photo montage but told police the man who attacked her was the same person who caused the bus disturbance.

Jimerson was arrested April 3 and told police he was "just talking" with the female passenger when he was kicked off the bus. He denied damaging the bus or having any contact with the woman after exiting the vehicle.

Bellevue Police are investigating a second incident in which Jimerson threatened to kill a female bus passenger, according to court documents. He has four previous felony convictions for drug and theft offenses. 

He is currently being held in King County Jail on $150,500 bail.