Vernon North Okanagan RCMP investigating an assault on a taxi driver

VERNON –  Police are investigating an assault on a taxi driver, after a passenger decided to hire a ride from Vernon to Enderby with no intention of paying.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP were called to assist a taxi driver on Nov. 10, at about 3 a.m., a media release says. The driver had just been assaulted by a female passenger after receiving a ride from Vernon to Enderby.

Through investigation, officers learned that a female passenger hired the taxi to take her to Enderby and once the final destination was reached, the woman got out of the cab without paying, but not before allegedly uttering threats with a weapon and assaulting the driver.

"The North Okanagan RCMP take incidents of this nature very seriously and are thoroughly investigating this incident," Const. Kelly Brett says in the release. "The driver did not sustain any injuries during this incident, however did the correct thing by pulling the cab over, ending the fare and calling police."

Although the suspect was able to flee the scene on foot prior to police arrival, officers were able to make a possible suspect identification. The suspect could be facing possible charge of obtaining services without paying, assault, uttering threats and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

The file remains under investigation.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Shelby Thevenot or call (250) 819-6089 or email the editor You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won’t censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.