Passenger Beats Up Driver, Steals Phone In Central Park: Police

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY – An early morning Upper West Side-bound ride turned into a violent assault on Monday, police said.

A 35-year-old driver – police were unable to confirm whether he was a cabbie or working for Uber, Lyft, or another service – picked up a male passenger on Dyckman Street in Inwood early Monday morning, officials said.

The passenger was headed for West 96th Street and Columbus Avenue, police said.

As the two crossed Central Park's 97th Street Transverse near East Drive at about 4:50 a.m., a dispute occurred, police said, and the passenger struck the driver in the back of the head, causing a small laceration.

The driver continued driving, and the passenger again assaulted him, police said, hitting him in the face. At that point, the passenger got out of the vehicle, continued striking the driver in the face, and took his phone, according to police.

The passenger then fled the scene, police said.

Upon arrival, emergency responders took the driver to an area hospital in stable condition, officials said.

Police did not have any information as to what started the dispute. No arrests have been made and an investigation is ongoing

This is a breaking news story. Patch will update as more information becomes available.