A 49-year-old taxi driver in Brownsville was held up at knifepoint and had his cab stolen in the early morning hours of April 30 near Newport Street and Osborn Street in Brooklyn, according to police.
Investigators say an unknown person got into the cab at about 3:45 a.m., flashed a knife, and then took off in the vehicle with the driver's wallet and several credit cards. The driver suffered minor injuries to his body and was left at the scene.
NYPD Crime Stoppers posted a wanted bulletin on X on Tuesday that includes surveillance images and a summary of what happened. According to the New York City Police Foundation, tipsters may be eligible for up to $3,500, and the Crime Stoppers hotline is 1-800-577-TIPS.
What The Bulletin Says
The wanted notice states that around 3:45 a.m. on April 30, an unidentified person entered the taxi, displayed a knife and then left in the cab, taking the driver's wallet and several credit cards. The wallet contained about $400, and the victim "sustained minor injuries to the body," according to NYPD Crime Stoppers.
Where It Happened
The bulletin puts the incident near Newport Street and Osborn Street in Brownsville in eastern Brooklyn. A base map from the New York City Department of City Planning shows both streets running through that neighborhood, which detectives identified as the scene.
Driver Safety And Neighborhood Context
Taxi drivers across New York City have reported a range of robberies and assaults in recent months. Last year, a pattern of robbers using pepper spray against cab drivers drew wide attention and concern, as reported by amNewYork.
Those incidents prompted renewed calls for stronger protections for drivers. In response, the Taxi and Limousine Commission has worked with the NYPD on safety efforts such as Taxi and Limousine Commission programs under Operation Safe Cab that encourage taxi operators to enroll in robbery-prevention and safety initiatives.
How To Help
Police are asking anyone who recognizes the person in the posted images or who has video from the area around Newport Street and Osborn Street around the time of the robbery to come forward.
Tipsters can contact NYPD Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-577-TIPS or by submitting a tip online. Per the city's NYPD Crime Stoppers page, a Spanish-language tip line is available at 1-888-57-PISTA, and information may be provided anonymously.
Legal Note
Under New York law, displaying a knife during a theft can raise the severity of the charge, depending on the circumstances, and may lead prosecutors to pursue a higher degree of robbery. For more detail on how robbery degrees and the display of weapons are handled in court, see the New York State Unified Court System criminal jury instructions on robbery.
Detectives have not announced any arrests in the case. Anyone with information is urged to preserve any relevant video and contact Crime Stoppers or send a direct message to @NYPDTips, as noted in the posted bulletin.
