Taxi Driver Charged In Attempted Assault On Passenger In Spring Valley: PD

SPRING VALLEY, NY — A taxi driver is accused of preventing a passenger from leaving his vehicle, attacking her and trying to steal her money, according to police.

Kevin Mazariego-Figueroa, 22, of Ramapo, was charged May 7 with attempted first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery, second-degree strangulation, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

The charges stem from an incident on May 5 around 1:45 a.m.

Police said they encountered a “visibly injured and distressed female victim” in the area of Ridge Avenue when they responded to a report about a vehicle hitting a fence.

During their investigation, police learned the woman had been picked up by a taxi in the area of the Evergreen Supermarket, according to police.

“While enroute to the destination, the driver began operating the vehicle erratically and refused to let the victim exit the car,” police said, in a news release Tuesday.

“The situation escalated until the vehicle collided with a fence, and the driver attacked the victim while armed with a screwdriver, attempting to steal money, while preventing her from leaving the vehicle,” police said.

The woman was able to escape and call for help. The suspect fled in the taxi, and nearly collided head-on with another vehicle, according to police. The Ramapo Police Department apprehended the driver shortly afterward, police said.