Taxi driver stabbed with needle, has cab stolen: Mission RCMP

The Mission RCMP says a 61-year-old cab driver was taken to hospital after he was assaulted by a passenger Friday night and then had his taxi stolen.

The driver took the passenger — a woman in her 30s — to the area near Kudo Drive around 11 p.m., where a dispute broke out over the fare. At this point, police say the passenger stabbed the driver with a needle.

She then got into the driver’s seat and drove off, dragging the driver “a short distance,” according to Mounties.

The driver went to a nearby home for help and was taken to hospital for his injuries.

Officers later found the taxi abandoned on Best Avenue near Cedar Street.

A police dog was brought in to help track down the woman. The dog took police to a home on Kudo Drive, where the suspect was detained. Police say she was then released pending further investigation.

“This was a senseless act of violence over what appears to have been a dispute over a taxi fare,” said Corp. Harrison Mohr.

“Our officers are in the process of gathering additional evidence to help confirm the identify of the female.”

Police say the taxi driver is recovering. The woman has been released pending further investigation.

Mounties ask anyone who saw either the altercation or the woman fleeing from the cab on Best Avenue to call them at 604-826-7161.

They are also looking for any relevant CCTV or dashcam footage of the area between 10:30 and 11:15 p.m.