GRAMERCY — A man and a woman carrying a large stash of drugs beat up a cab driver last week after they both tried to ditch the ride without paying the fare, according to police.
Lauren Roman, 26, and David Claudio, 27, hailed a cab on Staten Island at about 2 p.m. on May 26 and rode to the corner of Third Avenue and East 23rd Street, racking up a fare of $21, authorities said.
When they got to their destination, the pair refused to pay and hopped out of the cab, prompting the driver, a 24-year-old woman, to pursue them on foot, according to police.
When she confronted them, Claudio punched her in the face, cutting her lip, and Roman punched her in the back several times, police said.
Medical responders treated the driver at the scene and took her to Bellevue Hospital for additional care, according to police.
Once officers arrested the attackers at the scene, they found Roman carrying 16 baggies of crack-cocaine, 66 oxycodone pills and 59 pills of Alprazolam, an anti-anxiety medication commonly known as Xanax, according to a police report.
Prosecutors charged Roman with two charges of assault, theft of services, drug possession and harassment, according to court records. A judge released her without bail pending her next court date on July 12, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.
Prosecutors charged Claudio with assault, theft of services and harassment, records show. A judge released Claudio on May 27 after he posted $500 bail, and he is due back in court on July 12, according to court records.
Lawyers for the pair did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
