The Region - News from Aug. 29, 1986

A woman apparently suffering from emotional disorders attacked an RTD bus driver as he drove west on Florence Avenue near 8th Avenue in South-Central Los Angeles, police said. Melodee Ranson, 24, of Los Angeles boarded the empty bus driven by Frank Elzie, 39, of Canoga Park at Florence and Normandie avenues and allegedly left her seat and attacked Elzie shortly afterward, officers said. Elzie managed to free his right arm, knock the unarmed woman to the floor and lock the brakes on his bus, police said. Ranson left the bus, but was quickly arrested by officers who had been flagged down by Elzie, who suffered a minor injury to his shoulder. Ranson was being held at Sybil Brand Institute for Women for a 72-hour mental evaluation.