Suspect arrested in unprovoked attack on taxi driver: Police

A taxi driver sustained minor injuries after he was attacked by a 34-year-old man in Winnipeg’s St. James area.

Police said they were called to the 1400 block of Notre Dame Avenue around 2 a.m. Friday to check on a taxi driver involved in an altercation.

The investigation found that a man had entered the taxi when suddenly, he began verbally berating the 35-year-old driver. Police said the suspect armed himself with the car jack from the trunk.

As the taxi stopped near St. James Street and Wellington Avenue, the victim managed to contact another taxi driver and police for help. Police alleged the suspect then got out of the taxi, smashed the driver’s side window and forcibly removed the victim from the vehicle.

The suspect tried to further assault the driver with the jack, but didn’t make contact, police said.

The driver cut his hand on the broken glass but didn’t require medical attention.

Police said the suspect chased the victim to another taxi, before hitting and damaging the trunk with the jack.

He then returned to the original now-empty taxi and drove off. The suspect lost control and hit a snowbank in the 1400 block of St. James Street. He tried running away, but officers arrested him.

The 34-year-old Winnipeg man is facing several charges including robbery, theft of a motor vehicle and mischief. He was released on an undertaking.