RICHMOND TERRACE — An off-duty NYPD 911 operator found herself on the wrong side of an emergency Wednesday when she spotted a gun-toting teen on a Staten Island bus.
Coryse Hercules, 28, a police communications technician, noticed Raysean Alson, 18, with two guns on the S-40 about 1:15 p.m., police said.
Alson allegedly moved a handgun from his pants to his backpack. Some of the approximately 30 passengers on board noticed the transfer, but Alson played down the weapons.
"Calm down," he told them. "It's not serious. I carry it for protection."
Hercules, who is used to be on the receiving end of emergency calls, couldn't dial 911 for fearing of tipping off Alson, police said.
Instead, the quick-thinking operator texted co-worker Stephanie Williams, who dispatched police officers to the bus.
The cops boarded the bus minutes later and took Alson into custody, police said.
"The police responded, cut the bus off, entered the bus, and were able to arrest this young man, who had two guns in a bag," said Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.
Police found a defaced and loaded Bryco Jennings 9.mm semiautomatic pistol and a Smith & Wesson revolver, loaded with five live rounds and a spent shell casing. The guns had reportedly been stolen from Delaware, police said.
Alson was arrested and charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, among others.
"I want to commend both 911 operators for a job well done," Kelly added.
The suspect had three prior arrests, including forcible touching and marijuana possession, officials report.
Cops are investigating what happened to the spent bullet from the .38, officials say.
