Man arrested for allegedly assaulting Hong Kong taxi driver, stealing cab after fare dispute
Police say suspect, 39, detained for seven offences, including possession of dangerous drugs, theft and assault
Hong Kong police have arrested a 39-year-old man who allegedly punched and kicked a taxi driver and stole his cab after a dispute over the fare meter “running too fast”.
A police spokesman said on Monday that the man had been detained for eight offences, including possession of dangerous drugs, theft, common assault, and driving without relevant licences and third-party insurance.
“The passenger allegedly punched and kicked the 38-year-old driver during a dispute over the fare meter running [too] fast,” a force spokesman said, adding the taxi was travelling along Tolo Highway in Tai Po at the time.
The suspect subsequently drove off with the taxi after the driver pulled over and exited the vehicle, the spokesman said.
A source said the man had boarded the taxi on Nathan Road in Kowloon at around 4am on Monday, after booking the service through a mobile app with the destination set for Fanling.
The passenger suspected the driver had overcharged him for the trip when the taxi reached Tolo Highway and slapped him, another source said.
