Man chokes, punches taxi cab driver during robbery

May 9 attack captured on taxi's security camera

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward Sheriff's Office detectives are trying to identify a man who choked and punched a taxi cab driver during a robbery near Fort Lauderdale.

The May 9 incident was captured on the taxi's security camera.

BSO spokeswoman Gina Carter said Jean Paul Roosevelt was driving his taxi early in the morning near Northwest 31st Avenue when he picked up the unidentified man. The man began to argue with Roosevelt and demanded that the driver give him his money and phone.

The man then grabbed a seat belt and began to choke Roosevelt while the car was still in motion, Carter said.

"He tried to go like this, bend me down and tried to kick me out...I feel I'm almost dead," Roosevelt said.

Roosevelt's attacker then climbed on top of him and repeatedly punched him in the face.

Carter said Roosevelt was able to stop the car at a Marathon gas station on Sunrise Boulevard, where the man ran off with Roosevelt's phone.

Roosevelt was treated at the scene.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call detectives at 954-493-TIPS.

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