NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are searching for a man who held a taxi driver at gunpoint in North Lauderdale.
The incident happened along the 7800 block of Southwest Eighth Street at around 1:30 a.m., on July 4.
“Please, man, don’t kill me,” said the taxi driver.
Video shows the subject seated in the backseat of the vehicle.
“Don’t kill me, man,” said the taxi driver.
Investigators said the driver requested full payment for the ride when the passenger got into the car. Things took a turn.
“I feel threatened. Please, sir,” said the taxi driver.
Back and forth it goes for minutes: the driver continually asking the passenger to get out.
“I’m going to call you another cab,” said the taxi driver.
Despite another cab on its way, the passenger refuses.
“Please, man, I don’t want any problems,” said the taxi driver.
According to deputies, he then demands the driver to go back to where he was picked up and pulls out his gun.
“And then, at some point, the passenger pulls out a gun,” said Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy Gerdy St. Louis.
“Turn around, turn around. Come on, hurry up,” said the passenger to the taxi driver. “Turn around, come back, come back. Here we go. Back up, back up.”
The driver then crashed into a parked car in a panic. The passenger then got out. Once the passenger got out, the driver took off and called 911. Luckily, he wasn’t injured.
“We want to make sure that this does not happen to anyone else or another taxi cab driver,” said St. Louis.
Deputies are looking for the passenger known by the name James.
“Pulled out a gun on me,” said the taxi driver. “Pulled a [expletive] gun out on me, man.”
If you have any information on the whereabouts of this subject, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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