Local taxi driver assaulted, cab stolen

On 2024-02-08 at 2141 hrs, police responded to the 1000 block of 18^th Street as a taxi driver reported his fare had assaulted him and stolen his taxi.  Police investigation resulted in learning that the driver had initially picked up the fare from a residence in the 700 block of 11^th Street.  While driving the suspect began to assault the driver, whereby the driver pulled into a nearby parking lot and abandoned the vehicle in the 1000 block of 18^th Street.  The suspect then proceeded to get into the driver’s seat and drove away.  No injuries were sustained by the cab driver and a vehicle GPS system within the cab guided police to the 300 block of 15^th Street where the stolen vehicle was found unoccupied. Footprints in the snow leading away from the vehicle resulted in locating a 43-year-old male suspect hiding in a yard nearby. The accused was arrested without incident for Robbery with Violence, Theft of Motor Vehicle and Drive while Disqualified.  A check of police records also revealed that the suspect was responsible for an armed robbery of an individual on the evening of 2024-01-30.  On this occasion two suspects wearing masks, came to the door of an apartment in the 200 block of 15^th Street.  The door was answered by the resident, whereby the victim was struck in the head with a machete.  The 49-year-old male victim was transported to the hospital and received treatment for his injuries.  On 2024-01-21.  A 17-year-old female co-accused was arrested and held for court.

The 43-year-old male suspect will appear in court 2024-02-09 for charges stemming from both incidents for the offences of Robbery with Violence X2, Theft of Motor Vehicle, and Drive While Disqualified.