Cops: Man Beat, Robbed Cabbie

The following information was supplied by the Nassau County Police Department. A criminal charge is only an accusation, and does not indicate convictions.

A Cedarhurst man was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly beating and robbing a cabbie in January, according to police.

At 3:23 a.m. on Jan. 26, Anthony Colonna, 22, of Cedarhurst, called New York Taxi for a pick up at Leroy Avenue, police said. He then allegedly reached over from the back of the cab and attempted to take the car keys from the ignition.

Collona allegedy then began punching the victim in the face, and continued to do so even after the victim exited the cab and was on the ground, according to police. The defendant allegedly took the victim’s wallet containing cash from his pocket and a GPS unit from the taxi and fled the scene on foot. 

The victim, who sustained contusions and lacerations to the face, was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released.

The victim was able to identify Collona after viewing a photo array.

On Tuesday, Freeport police officers located the defendant on West Merrick Road in Freeport and placed him under arrest. 

Colonna is charged with second-degree robbery, two counts of petit larceny, criminal mischief in the fourth degree, disorderly conduct and violation conditional discharge stemming from previous open warrants. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday in First District Court in Hempstead.