Taxi Driver Flees Armed Robbers Who Fire Bullet Into Cab

NORTH BELLPORT, NY – Police are searching for three men who tried to rob a taxi driver in Suffolk County Thursday night. It happened in North Bellport at about 10:36 p.m.

According to Suffolk Police, officers responded to a call from 726 Meade Avenue from a man reporting an attempted robbery of a taxi he had just fled.

The man had just entered the pre-called taxi when three unknown men approached the vehicle. One of the men displayed a gun and demanded cash from the driver. The driver struggled with the man for the gun while the passenger fled from the back of the vehicle and called 911, police said.

The taxi driver accelerated, and a single shot was fired into the vehicle, breaking the driver’s side window. The taxi driver drove to a nearby 7-Eleven at Montauk Highway and Kane Avenue, where he dialed 911.

The driver sustained a minor graze wound to the abdomen, but did not require medical attention, police said.

All three of the suspects fled northbound, police said.

Suffolk Police were assisted by canine and aviation units. Evidence was recovered on Meade Avenue and within the taxi, police said. Both the driver and the taxi passenger assisted in the investigation.

The investigation is continuing and anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the Fifth Squad at 631-854-8552 at or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.