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Read the press release here.

Bronx Knifepoint Taxi Robbery Prompts Safety Reminders From Drivers' Group

By Eddie Small | November 10, 2015 5:50pm
 Police described the suspect in a recent cab robbery as a man in his 30s wearing a black hooded jacket.
Police described the suspect in a recent cab robbery as a man in his 30s wearing a black hooded jacket.
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NYPD

BAYCHESTER — A recent knifepoint robbery that left a green cab driver without his car, money and iPhone has prompted a renewed emphasis on safety from the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers.

Ahmed Sueb, 44, was driving a passenger by Arnow and Gunther Avenues on Thursday around 6:50 p.m. when the passenger held a knife the cabbie's right side and demanded his iPhone and cash, according to the NYPD and the NYSFTD.

Sueb gave the suspect his belongings and was ordered to get out of the cab, police said.

The suspect in the knifepoint robbery then drove off toward I-95, leaving Sueb stranded and in disbelief, police and the NYSFTD said.

The NYSFTD held a press conference with Sueb on Tuesday where they made recommendations that are intended to improve driver safety, according to NYSFTD leader Fernando Mateo.

These included having drivers renew their participation in the NYPD's Taxi/Livery Robbery Inspection program, where they get a sticker authorizing police to pull them over at any time to check on their safety, making sure all of the cameras in cabs are up to date and working, and updating trouble lights that taxis have to make them more noticeable, Mateo said.

"The light is too dim," he said, "and we need to change it and make it more of a flashing LED that can alert everyone—not just the cops—that they are in danger."

"It will be a real emergency light," he continued. "Not a dim, faded light that, when the sun is shining, you’ll never see it."

The robbery comes shortly after the murder of green cab driver Mamadou Barry, who was found shot in the head on the morning of Sept. 21.

Police arrested Nicholas Sanchez for Barry's death later that week.

Officers described the suspect in this most recent case as a man in his 30s wearing a black hooded jacket.