Man Accused of Trying to Steal MBTA Bus at Knifepoint Appears in Court

Prosecutors say Micah Martin threatened the bus driver and struggled with transit police at the Forest Hills T-stop.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:09pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a large butcher-style knife against a pitch-black background, capturing the dangerous weapon used in the alleged bus theft attempt in a stark, gritty manner.A knife used in an alleged attempt to steal an MBTA bus at knifepoint exposes the volatile nature of the incident and the risks faced by transit workers.Boston Today

A 30-year-old man named Micah Martin is being held without bail after allegedly trying to steal an MBTA bus at knifepoint and threatening the driver on March 20. Martin is accused of chasing the bus driver with a large knife and grabbing an officer's gun during a struggle with transit police who responded to the scene. Martin's defense attorney said he was under immense stress and had consumed drugs that day, causing him to 'snap' despite not being motivated by 'cruelty, hostility or revenge.'

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about public safety and the challenges transit systems face in dealing with volatile situations involving passengers. It also highlights the complex issues of mental health, drug use, and stress that can contribute to dangerous behavior.

The details

Prosecutors say that on March 20, Micah Martin tried to steal an MBTA bus at knifepoint and threatened to stab the driver. He then stepped off the bus with the knife in hand and chased the driver in a circle around the vehicle. The driver was able to get back on the bus and shut the door, at which point Martin allegedly stabbed the door with the knife. Transit police responded and struggled with Martin, who at one point grabbed an officer's gun and pulled the trigger, though no one was hit.

  • On March 20, Martin allegedly tried to steal the MBTA bus and threatened the driver.
  • Martin appeared in West Roxbury District Court on Monday, March 30.

The players

Micah Martin

A 30-year-old man accused of trying to steal an MBTA bus at knifepoint and threatening the driver.

MBTA Transit Police

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident at the Forest Hills T-stop and struggled with Martin.

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What they’re saying

“'The defendant then steps off of the bus with that same knife that we see him with before in his hand and proceeds to chase the bus driver in a circle. The bus driver circles the bus, steps back, runs back onto the bus, shuts the door of the bus and the defendant can be seen taking that large – again – butcher-style knife and stabbing it through the doors of the bus.'”

— Prosecutor

“'I don't believe that there's any way to qualify his behavior other than 'dangerous.''”

— Prosecutor

“'Neither he nor I is under the impression that there's any chance your honor is going to review everything and find that he wasn't a danger to the bus driver, to the police officers and the people at the station on this day. It's beyond dispute that he certainly was.'”

— Martin's defense attorney

“'He – his words, and perhaps mine as well – 'seems to have snapped' on this particular date due to the stress in his life, which is to say he's not somebody who's motivated by cruelty, hostility or revenge or general anger at the world. He didn't go out looking to cause harm, but he certainly did.'”

— Martin's defense attorney

What’s next

Martin is being held without bail and is due back in court next month for further proceedings.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges transit systems face in dealing with volatile situations involving passengers, as well as the complex issues of mental health, drug use, and stress that can contribute to dangerous behavior. It raises concerns about public safety and the need for improved crisis intervention and de-escalation training for transit personnel.