NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a robbery of a taxi driver that happened early this morning near New Smyrna Beach, Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haght said.
"The assailant was a customer who during the ride pulled out what the driver believed to be a gun and demanded money," Haught said. "The driver handed over some cash and the suspect then jumped out of the vehicle and fled. There were no injuries or shots fired."
The driver picked up the man near the intersection of Bay Street and Washington Street in New Smyrna Beach at about 1:54 a.m. and asked to be taken to an address in Edgewater, Haught said.
The driver told deputies that when he stopped at a stop sign down the road, the suspect grabbed the steering wheel with one hand and pulled out a gun with the other hand. The suspect pointed the gun at the 62-year-old driver’s face and demanded cash. After getting the money, the suspect got out of the car and ran down the street and out of sight, Haught said.
The driver described the suspect as a black man, approximately 6 feet tall and between 180 and 200 pounds. He wore tan pants, a dark sweater and a red nylon stocking cap on his head.
Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact Sheriff's Investigator Beth Fortin at (386) 423-3301 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida toll-free at 1-888-277-TIPS. Callers to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000. Individuals can also Text a tip by texting “TIP231 plus the message” to CRIMES.