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(Hilton Flores/Staten Island Advance)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- A Brooklyn man is accused of stealing an MTA express bus on the North Shore Friday evening, police allege.

Mario Casanova, 33, of Brooklyn, was charged with robbery, grand larceny auto, ulnawful imprisonment, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon, police said.

At around 5:30 p.m., the X10 bus driver was inspecting the bus at the corner of Jewett and Castleton avenues before beginning his route when Casanova boarded the bus and allegedly simulated having a firearm, according to an NYPD spokeswoman.

Casanova then instructed the driver take him to the bus depot. On the way, Casanova demanded the driver get off of the bus, the spokeswoman said.

Casanova, police said, began driving the bus erratically for about a half mile before hitting three unoccupied parked cars and a telephone pole at the intersection of Castleton Avenue and Broadway.

There were injuries to the bus driver, pedestrians or motorists, police said.