Man Stole Taxi, Threatened Driver: Hamden Police

HAMDEN, CT — A former Metro Taxi employee is accused of stealing a running taxi while the driver was inside a convenience store and later threatening the driver when he was found “rummaging” through the taxi, according to police. Hamden Police responded to the parking lot of a Fairview Avenue business at about 1:45 p.m. on Dec. 12 after the taxi had been reported stolen, according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

Smith said investigation revealed that the operator of a Metro Taxi had entered a convenience store, while leaving his unoccupied taxi “running.” When he returned to his taxi shortly thereafter, he noticed that it was missing.

The driver, a 50-year-old West Haven resident, found the taxi moments later on Pine Rock Avenue. The driver told police he saw former Metro Taxi employee, Michael Lindsey, “rummaging” through the taxi. Lindsey, who said that he was in the possession of a gun, stole a cellphone from inside of the taxi, according to Smith.

Sergeant Michael Doherty and Officer Joseph Venditto located Lindsey inside of a nearby apartment. He was promptly arrested and taken to police headquarters, Smith said.

Lindsey, 51, of Putnam Avenue in Hamden, was charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree threatening, second-degree larceny, sixth-degree larceny and third-degree criminal mischief. Lindsey, who was detained on a $50,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Dec. 27.

Pictured: Michael Lindsey, 51, of Hamden / via the Hamden Police Department

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