Man charged following taxi theft and assault in CBD

Photo: Ryan Osland

It is alleged a man hailed the cab in Flinders Lane when he then became aggressive and assaulted the driver before dragging him out of the taxi.

The taxi driver, a 33-year-old Braybrook man, was treated for minor injuries.

The stolen taxi was then located dumped on Bendigo-Sutton Grange Road in Harcourt about 6.30am on Monday morning.

It is alleged the same man stole a car in Albert Street, Footscray about 1pm yesterday and drove it to Melbourne Airport where he was arrested at 3.30pm.

Melbourne Embona Taskforce detectives, with the assistance of the Footscray Crime Investigation Unit, charged the 26-year-old Queensland man with four counts of robbery, assault, criminal damage, dangerous driving and various other traffic related offences.

He will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.