Police Make Fourth Arrest In Bronx Cab Driver Murders
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The fourth suspect in connection with the murders of two livery cab drivers in the Bronx has been arrested.
Tommy Smalls, 29, and three other men are accused of murdering two cab drivers and then stealing their cars to commit other crimes in the Bronx and Yonkers.
Smalls was apprehended by police overnight, officials said.
The three other suspects, identified by the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers as Takiem Ewing, Tyrone Felder and Kareem Martin, were arrested Friday after a taxi cab driver reportedly saw the suspects and called police with a tip.
"We are sending a clear message to those that assault, hurt, fare beat and murder our drivers. If you commit the crime you will do the time," said Fernando Mateo, spokesman for the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers. "We can now start the healing process knowing these thugs are off our streets. Drivers will work without fearing their next fare."
As WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported, Mateo believes the death penalty should be on the table as a deterrent for any would-be copycats.
Police Make Fourth Arrest In Bronx Cab Driver Murders
"The last wolf from the pack of four was caught," Mateo said. "I'm hoping that they will never see the light of day again. I'm hoping that they suffer for the rest of their life."
In the most recent killing, a 62-year-old driver was found shot in the head around 6 a.m. Tuesday on Bryant Avenue in Hunts Point, police said. His car was found abandoned on Underhill Avenue in Soundview, 1010 WINS reported.
On Aug. 5, Maoudo Kane, 49, was found shot once in the head in Co-Op City. Law enforcement sources told 1010 WINS that Kane's cab was the suspected getaway car in a pair of armed robberies in Yonkers before it was abandoned near Yankee Stadium.
After that murder, investigators said the men used Kane's black livery cab to go on a robbery spree in Yonkers. They reportedly wore masks as they hit two locations in less than 15 minutes, including the Irish Mini Mark on McLean Avenue, where they stole cash, bleach and a cell phone. They then allegedly robbed a Dunkin' Donuts just four miles away.
Prosecutors said the men doused the livery cab with bleach before ditching it.
Ballistic evidence shows the same gun was used in both murders, CBS 2's Matt Kozar reported Friday.
Investigators said they have surveillance video showing the suspects ditching the second livery cab on Tuesday and then leaving their clothes in a dumpster in White Plains.
"We suspected that the same gang of thugs were responsible for both deaths," Mateo said. "We are now hoping that the district attorney is going to make sure that these guys don't see the light of day anymore. They terrified, they terrorized our industry."
Smalls is expected to be charged later Saturday, police told CBS 2.
Mateo urges drivers to double check their security procedures.
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