APRIL 10, 2000

ASSAILANT OF LIVERY CAB DRIVER INDICTED: DRIVER FOLLOWED ATTACKER AFTER HE FLED WITH CASH

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown announced today the indictment of an East Elmhurst man in connection with an attack just over a week ago on a livery cab driver that he had flagged down in Elmhurst.

District Attorney Brown said, "Livery cab drivers provide a necessary service for many Queens residents and visitors who need transportation. However, they are frequently faced with dangerous or potentially dangerous situations and are vulnerable targets for would-be robbers."

Fernando Mateo of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers said, "We, as an organization, are grateful for the support of District Attorney Brown in pursuing these criminals. He has joined District Attorneys Johnson and Hynes in "Operation No Breaks" to make sure that criminals don't get off lightly when they commit these brutal assaults on taxi drivers. Cowards like these must face stiff sentences. We ask judges to support the District Attorneys and be just as tough when sentencing these criminals."

District Attorney Brown said that the defendant, Robert McLennan, 48, of 29-39 Ericsson Street, East Elmhurst was indicted and charged with robbery and assault. He faces up to twenty-five years in prison if convicted.

According to the District Attorney, the defendant allegedly flagged down a livery cab at 74th Street and Broadway on the evening of March 30th and after a ten minute ride, the defendant displayed a knife, demanded the driver's money and stabbed him in the chest. After the defendant allegedly fled the cab with a fistful of bills, the driver, despite his wounds, drove after him while calling 911 on his cell phone. When the police caught up with the livery cab the driver was able to point out the direction the defendant had taken. He was arrested a few minutes later allegedly still carrying the knife and the crumpled money.

"Statistics from the New York Police Department show that driving a livery cab can be a very dangerous occupation. More than 230 livery drivers have been killed in the last decade," said District Attorney Brown. "Vigorous prosecution of those who prey on the people working in this industry is a goal of this office."

Assistant District Attorney Peter Lomp of District Attorney Brown's Career Criminals Major Crimes Bureau, under the supervision of Bureau Chief James W. Evangelou and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney James C. Quinn of the Trials Division, will prosecute the case.

It is to be noted that an indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.