3 suspects
skip fare,
beat driver
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer
Manalapan police are searching for this individual and two other young adult males in connection with an Aug. 8 assault on a taxi driver.
MANALAPAN — Police are looking for three individuals who assaulted a New York City cab driver after refusing to pay their fare from Manhattan.
The incident occurred on Aug. 8 at 5:17 a.m. when the victim, Muhammad Ali of Queens, N.Y., a New York City cab driver, tried to collect a $175 fare from the three individuals, according to police. They are described as white males between the ages of 17 and 20.
A composite drawing of the first suspect shows an individual between the ages of 18-20, with a thin build, weighing between 135 and 140 pounds, with dark hair, dark eyes and a medium complexion. He is about 5 feet, 5 inches tall. He wore a baseball hat, a T-shirt and had a gold chain around his neck.
The second male is described as having a thin build, about 5 feet, 5 inches tall, with short hair. He is believed to be between the ages of 18 and 20.
The third male is described as having a stocky build, about 5 feet, 11 inches tall, with short blond hair. He appeared to be between the ages of 17 and 20.
Police said all three suspects appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
Police said the trio took the cab from 24th Street and Sixth Avenue in New York City to Drew Court and Center Drive off Route 9 south. Center Drive intersects Route 9 south in the vicinity of the Ashley Plaza, about a half-mile south of Gordons Corner Road.
Upon their arrival in Manalapan, the three suspects refused to pay the taxi fare and fled the scene. Ali collared one of the suspects, but the other two individuals returned and beat up the driver. All of the suspects then fled on foot.
Ali did not require treatment at a hospital, police said.
As of Monday, none of the suspects had been apprehended.
The assault and the theft of services is being investigated by Patrolman Leo-nard Maltese and the Manalapan Police Department detective bureau. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at (732) 446-4300 or the detective bureau at (732) 446-8386.