Orange County Man Jailed For Knife-Point Robbery of Cab Driver

An Orange County man who placed a knife to the neck of a taxi driver, for $200, is heading to prison.

On Monday in Orange County Court, 29-year-old Thomas Leon of Warwick was sentenced to eight years in state prison and five years post release supervision for a knife-point robbery of a taxi driver on November 22, 2016.

Leon pleaded guilty to robbery in March. In court, he admitted that he was the only passenger in a taxi being driven near Fanchar Road, in the Town of Warwick.

Leon confessed he held a knife to the neck of the taxi driver and demanded money. The cab driver gave Leon $200.

After an investigation by the Town of Warwick Police Department Leon was arrested and charged with robbery.

“Any defendant who threatens the use of any type of weapon to commit a robbery deserves a severe sentence,” District Attorney David M. Hoovler said. “Taxi drivers are particularly vulnerable to this type of crime and should not have worry about being subjected to physical violence as they try to support themselves and their families.”

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