The millionaire banker who was arrested nine years after a woman was thrown into the path of a bus in Putney became a target for police after they spoke to his ex-partner, according to reports.
On Monday, the Met Police said a 44-year-old suspect had been taken into custody in the case of the so-called ‘Putney pusher’.
The identity of the assailant has remained a mystery since the incident in May 2017 sparked a years-long manhunt.
According to the Times, information from a former partner was instrumental in securing the arrest of the man, who reportedly has ties to several European royal families, six days ago.
A former British Army officer, the suspect is also understood to work at a private bank.
He was questioned on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm, and once in custody, was separately arrested on suspicion of possession of class A and class B drugs.
The Times reported he has since been bailed pending further investigation for all alleged offences.
Putney Pusher Timeline
May 5, 2017
7.40am
A jogger wearing grey pushes a woman onto the road on Putney Bridge. A double-decker bus on the road managed to swerve at the last minute, saving her life.
7.55am
The jogger comes back, ignoring the victim as she attempts to confront him about the attack. He disappears from the scene.
August 2017
Police release CCTV footage of the incident for the first time and start making arrests, including a banker from Chelsea who was found to be on holiday in California at the time.
June 2018
After a massive manhunt, including the investigation of 50 people of interest, the Metropolitan Police closed their investigation, with no suspects ever charged.
April 2024
A play about the Putney Pusher sparks conversation around the case again. The play, called Once Upon a Bridge, was performed at the OSO Arts Centre in Barnes, south west London.
June 15, 2026
A suspect is arrested and charged with attempted grievous bodily harm.
CCTV footage of the assault on Putney Bridge in west London prompted shock and anger across the country nine years ago.
The 33-year-old woman narrowly avoided being hit by the bus when the driver, Oliver Salbris, managed to quickly swerve out of her way.
Salbris told the Sunday Times in 2017: ‘If I hadn’t swerved, I would have smashed her head.’
He added: ‘It was reflex. The consequences would have been terrible for her – and for me.’
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