Cab Driver Attacked, Robbed In Queen Village
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- South Detectives are searching for a man who slashed and robbed a cab driver along Fabric Row in the Queen Village section overnight.
The driver not only fought back, he drove himself to the hospital, and told his story to Eyewitness News.
"I thank God everything is fine."
Holding up his hand, cab driver Jaswant Mann shows off his bandage covering two cuts he suffered in a fight for his life overnight, and he won.
"He put the knife on my neck, and we struggle with each other."
Mann says the backseat battle began with a fare pick up at 4th and South Streets, though, the drop off would change from 4th and Catharine to 4th and Green.
"So when I get to 4th and Catharine, he attacked with me the knife. He shouted I have a gun. I can shoot you. I can kill you, so give me money."
The driver, in his 50's, didn't have his cell phone to call 911, so he says he pounced, grabbing the knife, and that's how he got sliced.
The suspect got away with $70, and was last seen running off on foot.
There are private cameras at 4th and Catharine, and city and private cameras up on 4th and South.
Police plan to comb through that footage for a glimpse of their suspect.
Mann says his attacker was a white male, about 6 feet tall, 25 years old, clean shaven and wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt.
"He's very lucky to only be stabbed in the hand. He could've been stabbed in his neck, or his throat," says Chief Inspector Scott Small.
Wounded, the cabbie drove himself to Jefferson's ER and Trauma Center, where alert staffers called in 6th District Police.
Officers saluted Mann's bravery saluting, with a side of caution.
"If someone has a knife, which is a deadly weapon, or a gun, or any weapon, if they announce a robbery, the best thing to do is just give up your possessions."
