SALEM, Mass. — Jeanjude Pierre-Louis had a problem and saw an opportunity to solve it, police say.

The problem: The Hyde Park man had hopped aboard an MBTA commuter rail train Wednesday morning, but had no money for his fare.

The opportunity: A conductor who had put down a bag full of fare money on a seat nearby. 

His solution: Steal the bag, then use some of the $500 inside to try paying his fare, police said. 

The result: Pierre-Louis, 54, is charged with larceny of more than $250, a felony. 

Salem police were called to the MBTA commuter rail station off Bridge Street shortly before noon for a report of an “unruly passenger.” 

Sgt. Peter Gifford and Patrolman Tracy O’Leary and Jonathan Bedard arrived and met a conductor who explained that she had put the fare money into a bag, left it on her seat, then resumed collecting fares. 

When she returned, she discovered that the bag was missing. 

Another nearby passenger said he had seen someone sitting near the bag, then saw him get up and leave. The passenger pointed out Pierre-Louis, now seated at the front of the train. 

She told another conductor what had happened. That conductor approached and asked him for his ticket or fare. 

That’s when Pierre-Louis pulled out the roll of cash, now tucked in his pocket, and tried to use it to pay his fare. 

The conductor asked if he’d taken the money from the other conductor’s bag. At first, Pierre-Louis denied it, police said. 

When the conductor said he was going to call the police unless he handed over the cash, Pierre-Louis handed it to him and admitted that he’d taken it, police said.  

Pierre-Louis, who has only a minor prior record and no defaults, was released on personal recognizance after an appearance in Salem District Court Wednesday afternoon. 

Follow courts reporter Julie Manganis of The Salem News on Twitter @SNJulieManganis.