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Man Hijacks Cab, Falls Asleep in the Front Seat: Police

By Erin Meyer | December 16, 2013 5:03pm | Updated on December 16, 2013 5:21pm
 Danny Canchola Jr., 29, of the 5500 Block of South Francisco Street, allegedly pulled over and took a nap it the driver's seat of a taxi after carjacking its driver in Humboldt Park.  
Danny Canchola Jr., 29, of the 5500 Block of South Francisco Street, allegedly pulled over and took a nap it the driver's seat of a taxi after carjacking its driver in Humboldt Park.  
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Chicago Police Department

COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — After allegedly hijacking a taxi cab in Humboldt Park, Danny Canchola Jr. apparently decided he needed get some shut-eye.

Prosecutors said the 29-year-old Gage Park man jumped into a taxi late Saturday night when it was stopped at a light in the 1700 block of West Fullerton Avenue. The 34-year-old driver — on his way home — informed the man that he wasn't looking for a fare.

They argued, said Assistant State's Attorney Lorraine Scaduto. With cars honking behind him, the driver continued west on Fullerton and turned north on Western Avenue.

Canchola started demanding money and punching the cabbie, Scaduto said. The cabbie, "fearing for his life," put the car in park and stepped out to call 911.

Canchola jumped in the driver's seat and sped away, prosecutors said.

Using GPS tracking equipment and the assistance from cab dispatchers, police soon found the stolen 2013 Blue Ribbon Toyota Prius taxi in a parking garage in the 800 block of Plymouth Street.

According to prosecutors, Canchola was "belligerent" to the driver of the taxi. But by the time cops found him in the Dearborn Park parking garage, he was quietly napping, according to a police report.

He tried to explain to officers that "he was just sleeping," but Canchola was arrested and charged.

A Cook County judge ordered him held on $100,000 bond Monday.

The taxi driver suffered no visible injuries, according to the police report.