Taxi Driver Kidnapped, Robbed After Queens-To-Wyandanch Ride: DA

WYANDANCH, NY — Two Wyandanch men were indicted after prosecutors said they kidnapped and robbed a taxi driver they had hired to take them from Queens to Suffolk County.

James Davender, 20, and Antoine Sims, 20, were indicted on charges of second-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery and second-degree robbery, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Davender and Sims ordered a taxi from Far Rockaway to Wyandanch at about 1 p.m. on April 22, prosecutors said.

During the ride, Davender began yelling and cursing at the driver, repeatedly grabbed the steering wheel and forced the taxi to swerve and change direction, prosecutors said. Davender and Sims also slammed the gear shift into park multiple times to stop the car, prosecutors said.

Davender then threatened to stab the driver with a folding knife unless he handed over his wallet, prosecutors said. When the driver refused, Sims reached into the driver’s front pocket and stole about $60 in cash, prosecutors said.

The pair then fled on foot, prosecutors said.

Davender was arraigned on May 13 before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro. Ambro ordered him held on $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond or $500,000 partially secured bond, prosecutors said.

Davender is due back in court on June 17. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count, prosecutors said. He is represented by John Halverson.

Sims was arraigned on May 29 before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard Horowitz. Horowitz ordered him held on $50,000 cash, $150,000 bond or $350,000 partially secured bond, prosecutors said.

Sims is due back in court on June 10. He also faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count, prosecutors said. He is represented by Richard Kaufman.

The attorneys did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment.

“These two defendants allegedly terrorized a hardworking taxi driver who was just trying to do his job,” Tierney said. “Taxi drivers work long, unpredictable hours on our roads every day to provide for their families, and they should never have to fear for their lives simply because someone needs a ride. We will not tolerate such violent behavior in Suffolk County.”