Robber Who Stole Taxi At Knifepoint Arrested In Manhattan, Police Say

MIDTOWN, NY — Police have arrested a 53-year-old man named John Butler and accused him of stealing his yellow cab after threatening the owner with a knife in Manhattan on Monday, New York City Police Department officials said.

According to the NYPD, the perpetrator approached a 55-year-old driver in a yellow cab at around 3:12 a.m., displayed a knife, and demanded the victim exit the car on West 30th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues.

Then, the perpetrator got into the driver's seat and drove the cab away, heading uptown, police said.

Police stopped the vehicle in Midtown at 46th Street and Seventh Avenue around 4:44 a.m. Monday, and took the driver into custody, authorities said.

John Butler, the 53-year-old man who was taken into custody, was charged with robbery in the first degree, grand larceny in the fourth degree, possession of a forged instrument in the first degree, unauthorized use of a vehicle, menacing in the second degree, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving, police said.

This is a developing story and may be updated. For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.