MEATPACKING DISTRICT — A man tried to pay just $5 for a taxi ride from the Upper West Side to the Meatpacking District, then attacked the driver when he demanded more money, police said.
Police said Reginald Wilson, 36, rode in a taxi from 96th Street and Broadway to Spice Market at 403 W. 13th St. at about 10 p.m. on Dec. 23.
The fare totaled $21.50, but Wilson tried to hand the driver $5 and leave, police said.
When the driver got out of the car to protest, Wilson punched him in the chest, knocking him to the ground, police said. The driver's head hit the pavement, police said, and he was left bruised, swollen and in pain.
Wilson was charged with assault, theft of services, attempted assault and harassment. He was being held on $500 bail as of Monday.
Wilson is due back in court on Jan. 22. His attorney did not immediately respond to a message left for comment.
Other notable incidents in the 6th Precinct include:
► A man caught breaking into a West Village restaurant after hours claimed he was an employee, police said.
Anthony Vazquez, 46, broke open a lock on a side door at Gaetana’s at 143 Christopher St. using a screwdriver about 7:25 a.m. on Dec. 22, witnesses told police.
Another person saw Vazquez inside the restaurant, opening drawers behind the bar, police said.
The restaurant's owner told police Vazquez did not have permission to be in the restaurant at the time, but it was not immediately clear if he was employed there.
The restaurant did not immediately respond to a voicemail.
Police said they found a screwdriver and two knives on Vazquez when they arrested him.
Vazquez was charged with burglary and possession of burglary tools. He was being held on $5,000 bail as of Monday and is due back in court on Jan. 20.
A lawyer for Vazquez did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
► Morning commuters from New Jersey were confronted by a man shouting expletives and threatening to kill them, police said.
Police said two officers responded to a report of a disorderly person on a PATH train at the Christopher Street station at 135 Christopher St. about 7:40 a.m. on Dec. 23.
They arrived to find David Richardson, 39, yelling at passengers, police said.
Police said Richardson was yelling “F--- you, f-----g crackers, what the f--- are you looking at,” and threatened to “shoot everyone in the train.”
Richardson charged with charged with menacing, disorderly conduct, harassment and resisting arrest, after he pulled away from police and refused to stand up as they arrested him, prosecutors said.
He is due back in court on Jan. 20. His attorney did not immediately respond to a message left for comment.
