Posted on Leave a comment

Cab Fare Jumper: ‘You Can Take Me to Jail,’ Officer Obliges

The Warwick Police Department is located at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive.
The Warwick Police Department is located at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive.
The Warwick Police Department is located at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive.

WARWICK, R.I. — Officer Damian Andrews was attempting to arrange a civil solution when a cab driver reported his passenger refused to pay his $30.50 bill May 12 at 1:21 a.m. at the 650 Bald Hill Road Wendys with an ATM visit when the man refused again, telling the officer to take him to jail, which he did.

Andrews responded to the restaurant for a report of fare evasion from a taxi driver, finding the driver and passenger in the midst of what appeared a misunderstanding about whether the passenger, Kyle M. Tanner, 34, of 34 Chapmans Ave., Warwick, could pay for his ride from Providence with a credit card, according to the officer’s report.

Tanner told Andrews he did not have any cash on him, so the officer informed him of a bank nearby where the passenger could withdraw cash to pay his fare, according to the report. Andrews followed the cab as it transported Tanner to the bank. When they arrived, however, Tanner refused to get out of the cab to make the withdrawal, stating the fare rate wasn’t fair.

Andrews spoke with Tanner again, and the man got out of the cab, walked up to the bank, but turned around and said to Andrews, “I’m not paying this. You can take me to jail,” according to Andrews’ report.

Andrews handcuffed Tanner and placed him in the rear of his cruiser, then gave him another ride, this time to Warwick Police Headquarters, 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, where the officer charged him with Theft of Services/Evasion of Payment of Fare, and scheduled him with a hearing on the matter in Third District Court on May 28.

Rob Borkowski
Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

This is a test