Crime & Courts

Second cab driver robbed, beaten after lockout hoax, police say

A cab driver was beaten and robbed Saturday night after he drove to West High School to pick up a couple who claimed they were locked out of their car, police said.

The robbery marked the second time in several days that a cab driver was dispatched for a lockout call and attacked for money, an Anchorage Police Department alert said.

Detectives were investigating whether the robberies are connected.

The driver in Saturday's robbery was trying to unlock one of the couple's car doors when the female hit him from behind with a collapsible baton, police said. He was hit more than once in the head and on his body.

The man and woman demanded money, so the driver handed over the cash he had on him, police said. The man then threw the driver to the ground, and the couple got into their blue sedan and drove off.

Police were notified at 11:35 p.m. about the robbery. The cab driver drove himself to the hospital for what police described as injuries that weren't life-threatening.

The earlier robbery took place Thursday evening  on Ship Creek Avenue, police said.

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The driver was dispatched to the Ship Creek area for someone who said they were locked out of their vehicle. When he arrived, two people pushed him into his trunk and punched him, then choked him and pointed a gun at him, police said.

The suspects included a man and someone who sounded female, plus a third person.

Zaz Hollander

Zaz Hollander is a veteran journalist based in the Mat-Su and is currently an ADN local news editor and reporter. She covers breaking news, the Mat-Su region, aviation and general assignments. Contact her at zhollander@adn.com.

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