Cab driver the victim of strong-armed robbery in central Columbia

COLUMBIA — A 55-year-old cab driver was assaulted and robbed early Monday morning after making what seemed like a routine pick-up in central Columbia.

A Tiger Taxi driver received a call for service from a person in the 600 block of McBaine Avenue around 2 a.m., a Columbia Police Department news release said. After turning onto McBaine from Worley, the driver was flagged by an unidentified male claiming to need a ride.

The man then got in the cab and demanded the driver hand over money. After the driver refused, the man punched the driver in the face multiple times and took an unknown amount of cash from the driver’s pockets, the release said. He then got out of the cab and drove away in a mid-sized maroon vehicle.

The release described the attacker as a black male in his mid-20s, 6-foot, 200 pounds with a dark complexion and last seen wearing a blue windbreaker, white T-shirt and black pants.

Anyone with information can contact CrimeStoppers at 875-8477. Tipsters remain anonymous and can be eligible for a reward of up to $1,500.