Cab hold-ups on Web

Tips about taxi robberies are already coming in after photos of suspects caught by cab cameras were displayed for the first time on the Toronto Crime Stoppers Web site yesterday.

Cab robberies, which are often violent and sometimes result in homicide, are "among the most cowardly of crimes," Toronto police Detective Sergeant Clive Richards said yesterday.

The idea behind "Rob a Cab — You will be Nabbed," launched yesterday by police and the Toronto taxi industry, is to quickly post images of suspects in taxi robberies on the Crime Stoppers Web site.

"The more people have access to these photos, the more pairs of eyes we've got to help investigators identify suspects and that will be a valuable investigative tool," Detective Jeff Zammit said. "The camera even caught one robber actually slashing the throat of a cab driver."

Cab crime has been reduced by more than 50 per cent since the implementation of a Toronto bylaw about a year ago requiring taxi owners to install security cameras or global positioning systems (GPS) in their cars.

A few years ago, about 200 cab robberies occurred in Toronto, a number that has been reduced significantly since the introduction of the cameras. So far this year, there have been 17, Richards said.

Richards said the idea of installing cameras and global positioning systems in cabs originated in Australia but spread to many parts of the world, including Toronto and Brampton.

Toronto's bylaw gives cab owners a choice of installing cameras (at a cost of about $850 - $1,150) or a GPS.

Photographs of suspects in cab robberies can be viewed on the Crime Stoppers Web site: www.toronto-CrimeStoppers.com

 

Rob a Cab — You will be Nabbed If your tip leads to an arrest or successful conclusion, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000! If you have any information about this or any other serious crime, please call Crime Stoppers. You will never have to give your name or testify in court. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display. Call Crime Stoppers locally at 416-222-TIPS or toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS.        Violent Hold-Up of Taxi Driver On Saturday, October 13, 2001, at approximately 05:15 hrs, the victim was operating a Beck Cab eastbound on Lawrence Avenue West towards Bathurst Street. The suspect was the lone passenger in the back seat of the cab. The suspect attacked the victim stabbing him in the chest and leaving him unconscious. The suspect fled the cab in a northwest direction through the Lawrence Plaza. Suspect description: Male, black, 18-22 years old, wearing a red T-shirt and a brown and black jacket.      Armed Robbery of Taxi Driver On Thursday, August 1, 2002, at approximately 21:40 hrs, the victim was operating a taxi cab and picked up a fare at the Food Basics store at Jane and Wilson. The lone suspect directed the victim to drive him to Finch and Weston. After telling the driver to make a few turns the cab arrived in front of 149 Habitant Drive. The suspect pulled a handgun out and placed it to the head of the driver and demanded cash. The driver complied and the suspect made good his escape. Suspect description: Male, black, dark complexion, 19-25 years old, 5’8", 150 to 160 lbs, thin build with black shoulder-length hair, some facial hair on chin. The suspect was wearing a blue, long-sleeve shirt, black denim jeans and black shoes.      Armed Robbery of a Taxi Driver On Monday, August 5, 2002, (civic holiday) at approximately 22:30 hrs, the victim was operating a Beck taxi. The victim received a call to pick up a fare at 77 Roehampton Avenue. The victim picked the suspect up at the rear of 77 Roehampton. The victim was told to wait for another passenger. After a short time the suspect pulled out a knife and held it to the driver’s throat. The suspect demanded cash and the driver complied. The suspect received a cut to his throat. The suspect left the cab and was last seen running southbound. Suspect description: Male, white, 18-20 years, 5’3", 130 lbs, slim build with light brown hair and a slight goatee. He was wearing dark, baggy clothes and a green jacket. Theft from Auto (taxi cab) On Friday, January 21, 2002, a cab driver reported parking his cab in the parking lot of 1440 Lawrence Avenue West. A short time later the suspect broke into the vehicle and removed a quantity of cash. Suspect description: Male, black, light complexion, with a pencil thin beard and moustache. He was wearing a light-coloured toque and jacket. Robbery (taxi cab driver) On Sunday, August 18, 2002, at approximately 01:00 hrs, the victim was operating a cab in the area of Yonge Street and Queen’s Quay. At this time four males and a female entered the cab. The driver was concerned for the female’s safety and refused to take the suspects anywhere. The suspects then began to beat the driver about the head and body with their fists and feet and a microphone from the cab. One of the suspects took a quantity of cash from the victim and all five suspects made good their escape. Suspect One description: Male, white, approximately 21yrs old, 5’5", muscular build, small goatee, with short brown hair. This suspect had a pockmarked complexion. He was wearing beige T-shirt and blue denim jeans. Suspect Two: Male, white, short black hair and had a long face. He was wearing a black denim jacket. Suspect Three: Female, white, slender build wearing a green dress. Suspects Four and Five: Male, white.      Car Jacking (taxi cab) On Monday, February 25, 2002, the victim was operating a taxi cab in the area of Markham and Ellesmere Streets. The cabbie picked up two customers at the McDonald’s Restaurant at the location and was directed to go to Peace Drive south of Brimorton. One of the suspects produced a knife and held it to the cab driver’s throat. The suspects attempted to gag the driver, but the victim managed to break free and make good his escape. Meanwhile, the suspects fled in the cab. If you have any information regarding this crime, please contact Detective Constable Olver at 416-808-4206 or Crimestoppers at 416-222-8477 or 1-800-222-8477. Images provided by Forensic Identification Services Back to the Tax-L Safety Page