3 Robbed Taxi Driver Of $100 In Nassau: Police

UNIONDALE, NY — Three men have been charged in connection with the robbery of a taxi driver on Sunday in Uniondale, Nassau police said.

Mariano Gonzalez Ramirez, 29, and Noe Gonzalez Ramirez, 33, both of Bethpage, and Miguel Ramirez Garcia, 26, of Copiague, hired a taxi to drive them, at about 2 a.m., and during the ride, they began to dispute the fair amount with the driver, according to detectives.

As the driver was driving the taxi, the argument escalated and he pulled over outside of Ralph's Italian Ices on Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale, detectives said, adding that Mariano then took $100 from the driver and bolted.

The driver then got out and confronted Mariano outside the vehicle, detectives said.

Miguel Ramirez Garcia and Mariano Gonzalez Ramirez began striking the driver multiple times, at which time the man got back into his car and called 911, according to detectives. All three men then ran away from the scene, detectives said.

Officers arrived and conducted a canvas of the area, and all three men were found at Sunoco Gas Station on Hempstead Turnpike, detectives said. They were arrested without further incident, according to detectives.

Mariano Gonzalez Ramirez and defendant Miguel Ramirez Garcia are both charged with second-degree robbery, and theft of services. The pair was arraigned on Sunday at First District Court in Hempstead.

Gonzalez Ramirez was charged with theft of services. He was issued an appearance ticket and was released.