PASADENA >> A taxi passenger turned into an armed robber late Wednesday when he slashed the cabbie with a knife while trying to skip out on the fare in Pasadena, police said.
The crime took place about 11:50 p.m. in the 300 block of Cordova Street, Pasadena police Lt. Mark Goodman said.
The victim, a 57-year-old Glendale man, dropped a passenger off after an $88 cab ride, the lieutenant said.
“The suspect fled the can and tried to run away without paying,” he said. The taxi driver chased after him.
“After he confronted the suspect, a fight ensued, during which the suspect produced a small knife and swung it toward the victim,” Goodman said.
The cab driver suffered a minor cut but declined medical treatment.
Police searched the area but did not find the robber, Goodman said. A details suspect description was not available.