Crime & Courts

Anchorage police ask for help in identifying 3 who assaulted cab driver

Anchorage police reported Thursday that they need help locating three suspects who severely beat a local cab driver when he asked for their fare.

The assault happened last fall, police said.

Police have released photos of the suspects, described in a news release as two black men and a Native woman.

On Oct. 4, the cabbie picked up three people in West Anchorage and drove them to multiple locations before dropping them off around 4:30 a.m. near Fifth Avenue and E Street.

"When the driver requested payment, occupants of the cab severely assaulted the driver by punching and kicking him about the head causing facial fractures which required hospitalization," police said.

Detectives have worked the case for months and believe the public's input may help identify the three assailants. Police said the public "may have heard them talking about the assault."

Police spokesperson Anita Shell said she doesn't know when detectives obtained the suspects' images or the current condition of the cab driver.

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Police occasionally respond to assaults on cab drivers, she said.

Anyone with information on the suspects is asked to call Anchorage Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP or submit an anonymous tip through its website.

Jerzy Shedlock

Jerzy Shedlock is a former reporter for Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2017.

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