Drunk man stole taxi containing five passengers

A drunk man from Ronkonkoma, New York, pushed a taxi driver, hopped in the man’s cab and then fled in the vehicle while five people were still inside early on New Year’s Day, Nassau police said.

Christian N. Paz, 24, was arrested shortly after the incident, which began in front of a taxi stand at the Wantagh Long Island Rail Road station at about 2am, police said.



According to police, Paz pushed the 46-year-old male driver and then drove away in the cab, which was occupied by three females and two males. Paz then allowed the occupants to get out of the cab. Paz later abandoned the car and fled on foot.

Seventh Precinct officers located Paz a short time later in Seaford and he was placed in police custody without incident. Paz is charged with second degree robbery, third degree grand larceny, five counts of unlawful imprisonment and DWI. He is due to be arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead.