52-year-old livery cab driver thrown out of own vehicle by passengers as they stole his cab
PELHAM GARDENS, Bronx (WABC) -- A 52-year-old livery cab driver was thrown out of his own vehicle as it was stolen by two riders early Friday morning in the Bronx.
Ramon Peña is covered in bruises and scrapes but he's happy not to be in worse shape after being tossed out of his own moving livery cab around 4 a.m. on Tenbroeck Avenue near Pelham Parkway North.
According to police, the two suspects entered the vehicle and used physical force to steal from the driver.
They then fled the scene with the livery driver's vehicle.
"They put him in a chokehold, they stole his money, and while the vehicle was moving, they threw him out the car," said Fernando Mateo, a spokesperson for the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers.
The New York State Federation of Taxi drivers is offering a $3,000 reward for help finding the two teens or young men who did this, getting way with a hundred dollars and Peña's Toyota Highlander.
"We also want to make sure that we recover the vehicle, because right now his vehicle is stolen, and he doesn't have the means of earning a living," Mateo said.
The stolen vehicle's license plate number is T796375C.
Pena, still also emotionally raw from what happened, says he did not resist.
"Something in my mind told me not to, something in my mind said no, relax, and thanks to god and my lovely mom," Peña said.
The people who requested the ride called a local car service company on the phone, giving an address at an intersection along the quiet Pelham Parkway North. The highway is normally deserted at that hour and not well lit.
"Their face was completely covered, with a black mask and a black hoodie," Mateo said. "They got in the car, took it off, but immediately put it back on."
The suspects also asked Peña to turn around and drive back to the original pickup location claiming they forgot their money and marijuana. That's where the attack happened.
Peña suffered a minor laceration to his arm. He says in 15 years driving a livery cab, he's never been robbed or assaulted. He says he always tries to help people out and to work hard like his mom taught him.
"To be hardworking person, and that's all I could be," he said.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
"We just need for the 49th Precinct detectives to do what they do best and find these people," Mateo said. "But we're offering $3,000 to try to make sure we get them off the streets quick."
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