In the past month, there have been more than a dozen taxicab robberies in Northern Virginia. In Alexandria, there were two within a 24-hour period.
The robberies occurred in the 5500 block of Ascot Court and at the corner of Ascot Court and Sanger Avenue. The first one happened at 12:55 a.m. on Oct. 13. A 27-year-old cab driver picked up a fare at the Van Dorn Metro station and brought the individual to Ascot Court. When the cab stopped, the suspect produced a handgun, forced the driver out of the vehicle and stole his car keys, wallet and cellular phone. A second man approached and stood by as the robbery was taking place. Both suspects fled on foot. The driver was not injured.
The initial suspect was described as a black male, 20 to 30 years old and was wearing a gray coat. There was no description of the second suspect.
Between 8:30 and 9 p.m. the same day, a 37-year-old Fairfax County cab driver picked up a fare at National Airport. The fare asked to be driven to Ascot Court and directed the driver to that location. When the cab arrived, the suspect displayed a gun and demanded the driver’s money and cell phone. The driver complied and the suspect ran away. The victim was not injured.
The suspect is described as a black male, 25 to 30, 6-feet-1-inch to 6-feet-3-inches, 220 to 230 pounds and was wearing a tan sweat suit.
Police and the city’s hack inspector are contacting all of the local cab companies so that drivers are aware of the recent robberies. Drivers are being urged to take extra precaution.