Vancouver police say that a cab driver was allegedly forced to drive dangerously by a passenger after he was assaulted by him.
On Friday (Jan. 7) night, a 55-year-old cab driver was allegedly assaulted with a weapon, threatened, and forced to drive from Richmond to Downtown Vancouver, according to a news release.
The passenger appeared paranoid and thought people were following him; he reportedly ordered the driver to "drive through red lights and veer into oncoming traffic."
Police arrested the suspect after he got out of the cab and allegedly started threatening staff at the London Drugs near Granville and Georgia streets.
"From the downtown core to the South Slope, and from East Van to the west side, VPD officers were called on to investigate multiple violent crimes," says VPD Sgt. Steve Addison.
"These included commercial robberies, stranger assaults, road rages, and several stabbings."
A 43-year-old man has been charged with assault with a weapon, uttering threats, and possession of a weapon. He is due back in court on Wednesday.
