Ottawa police are investigating after a taxi driver was assaulted and robbed in the city's west end late Wednesday night. The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. in the area of Carling Avenue and Woodroffe Avenue, according to a police statement released Thursday morning.
Details of the assault
The victim, a male taxi driver in his 40s, was picking up a fare when the suspect allegedly attacked him, demanding money. The driver was struck multiple times and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. He was treated at the scene by paramedics and later transported to hospital in stable condition. The suspect fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Police have described the suspect as a white male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a medium build, wearing a dark hoodie and jeans. He was last seen heading east on Carling Avenue. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
Community response
“This was a brazen attack on a hardworking member of our community,” said Constable Amy Gagnon, a media relations officer with the Ottawa Police Service. “We are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage from the area to contact our robbery unit.”
The taxi driver, who has not been identified, has been driving for over 10 years and had never experienced such an incident, according to his employer, Blue Line Taxi. The company expressed concern for the driver's well-being and is cooperating with police.
Ongoing investigation
The investigation is ongoing. Police have not yet made any arrests. They are also looking into whether this incident is connected to any other recent robberies in the area. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Robbery Unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 5116 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
