Police looking for man who allegedly stole 10 taxi cabs

PHILADELPHIA -- Police say they are looking for a man who allegedly is responsible for stealing ten taxi cabs in the west and southwest areas of Philadelphia, reports CBS Philly.

The man is suspected of stealing the vehicles over a span of nine days, according to the station. Police say the stolen cabs are apparently being used in shootings and robberies.

Police say they responded to a shooting last week in West Philadelphia where the suspect was a passenger in a taxi cab. They say a stolen cab was also used in a robbery early Monday morning, when three males got out of the vehicle, robbed a victim at gunpoint and fled the scene in the cab.

It was later found, abandoned.

The suspect -- or suspects -- appear to know the ins and outs of a cab, reports CBS Philly. Police say that the thief appears to be targeting Ford Crown Victoria models from 2007 to 2009.

The stolen cabs are similar models, but six of the 10 are reportedly from the 215-Get-A-Cab company. Five of the 10 stolen cabs have been recovered by police, according to the station.

Police say they are worried the suspect will pretend to be an actual cab driver and pick up passengers. They urge cab passengers to check for two forms of ID when getting in a cab -- a rear facing card and a driver's certificate.