Man Knocked Out Taxi Driver’s Teeth, Bit Cop In Essex County

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — An Essex County jury convicted a Newark man of aggravated assault after he knocked out a cab driver’s teeth and bit a police officer in East Orange, authorities announced last week.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office released the following statement about the incident, which took place in June 2018 and resulted in the arrest of Yinka Olasoji, 42:

“On June 26, 2018, Olasoji became enraged when the cab driver refused to give him a ride in East Orange … Olasoji held onto the open door of the cab as the driver drove toward a nearby East Orange police officer. As the cab stopped, Olasoji entered the cab and punched the driver in the face numerous times, causing him to lose several teeth. The police officer, who was conducting a motor vehicle stop nearby, responded to the scene. Olasoji proceeded to bite the officer in the arm.”

On April 27, following a three-day trial, a jury found Olasoji guilty of one count of third-degree aggravated assault on the cab driver, and one count of disorderly persons simple assault on the responding police officer.

When he is sentenced on June 12, Olasoji faces up to five years in New Jersey state prison and possible deportation, prosecutors said.

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