Driver thwarts robbery attempt

NEW ORLEANS — Police said a New Orleans cab driver shot a would-be robber in the face, leaving the man in stable but guarded condition.

Officer Garry Flot said the shooting occurred in the 3100 block of Burgundy Street at about 10 p.m Thursday.

The cab driver told police that he picked up a fare, and the unidentified man asked to be taken to Canal Street. However, when the passenger, who Flot said appeared to be a teenager, got into the vehicle, he implied that he had a weapon and demanded that the cab driver turn over his money.

The driver pulled to the side of the road and complied, but when the suspect walked away, the driver retrieved a gun from his vehicle and followed the man.

Flot said the cab driver confronted the robber and an argument broke out. The driver then shot the robber in the face.

Flot said the robber managed to run for a short distance after the shooting, but then collapsed.

When police searched the teenager, they found a flashlight wrapped in a rag.

Police recovered the cab driver’s keys and money at the scene, Flot said.

Police have not confirmed the identity of the teenager, but he will be booked with armed robbery.

The cab driver was not arrested and was not injured. Police said the 41-year-old driver worked for United Cab Inc., but a lawyer with that company did not respond to a request for comment.

In July, a cab driver with the same company was killed in eastern New Orleans during a suspected robbery attempt.

Ali Husnain, 44, was shot at an apartment complex in the 6000 block of Downman Road on July 9.