Taxi Driver's Face Slashed, Car Stolen In Howell, Police Say

HOWELL, NJ — A taxi driver from Asbury Park was slashed in the face and his car stolen after he drove two men to Howell on Friday, police said.

The 46-year-old man was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and was listed as stable, police said.

The incident happened shortly after 11 p.m. Friday. The driver, who works for an Asbury Park-based taxi company, picked up the two men in Neptune and drove them to a parking lot on Preventorium Road across from Oak Glen Park, police said. When they arrived at the parking lot, one of the men slashed the driver across the face with a knife, police said.

The victim ran away toward Old Tavern Road and was found bleeding from his face by a police officer on patrol.

Meanwhile the two men — described as Hispanic, 18 to 24 years old with dark hair, both wearing dark clothing and speaking Spanish — took off with the car, police said. It was found abandoned on Maxim Road. Police searched for the two men, including with a K-9 unit but did not find them, the department said.

Howell police urge anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information to call Detective Vincent Bonner at 732-938-4575, ext. 2647.