Crystal
03-04-2005, 10:30 AM
Police track down biting bandit
Mechanicville man arrested after allegedly biting, punching cabbie in botched robbery
First published: Thursday, March 3, 2005
SCHENECTADY -- A 30-year-old Mechanicville man who asked for change for a $50 bill has been charged with biting a cabdriver in a botched robbery early Tuesday morning, police said.
Police allege Alexander Symington, of 1 Cypress St., called for a Capitaland taxi to take him from Broadway to the intersection of Sargent Place and Fourth Avenue at about 2:30 a.m. But when Symington asked the driver to break his $50 bill to pay the fare, police say, Symington tried to snatch the driver's money, biting the cabbie's hand several times.
When the driver still wouldn't relent, police allege Symington punched him several times in the head, pushed him to the ground and kicked him in the face.
Still, Symington didn't get the money, but allegedly took off with the driver's coat and knapsack, police said.
Responding patrol officers tracked fresh footprints in the snow to the rear door of the vacant building at 1329 Fourth Ave, where they allegedly found Symington hiding in a closet.
Symington was charged with felony second-degree robbery and third-degree assault and second-degree trespass, both misdemeanors. He was sent to Schenectady County Jail in lieu of $2,500 bail.
The driver was not seriously injured and was treated at St. Clare's Hospital, police said.
Mechanicville man arrested after allegedly biting, punching cabbie in botched robbery
First published: Thursday, March 3, 2005
SCHENECTADY -- A 30-year-old Mechanicville man who asked for change for a $50 bill has been charged with biting a cabdriver in a botched robbery early Tuesday morning, police said.
Police allege Alexander Symington, of 1 Cypress St., called for a Capitaland taxi to take him from Broadway to the intersection of Sargent Place and Fourth Avenue at about 2:30 a.m. But when Symington asked the driver to break his $50 bill to pay the fare, police say, Symington tried to snatch the driver's money, biting the cabbie's hand several times.
When the driver still wouldn't relent, police allege Symington punched him several times in the head, pushed him to the ground and kicked him in the face.
Still, Symington didn't get the money, but allegedly took off with the driver's coat and knapsack, police said.
Responding patrol officers tracked fresh footprints in the snow to the rear door of the vacant building at 1329 Fourth Ave, where they allegedly found Symington hiding in a closet.
Symington was charged with felony second-degree robbery and third-degree assault and second-degree trespass, both misdemeanors. He was sent to Schenectady County Jail in lieu of $2,500 bail.
The driver was not seriously injured and was treated at St. Clare's Hospital, police said.