Man charged after allegedly stealing taxi with a passenger

A man is facing charges after allegedly stealing a taxi — with a passenger inside — before hitting a tree.

On Tuesday shortly before 7:40 p.m., police responded to the area of 12th Avenue and Winnipeg Street in the Uplands neighbourhood after getting a report of someone stealing a vehicle.

Police later found out a taxi was dropping a passenger off at a home on the 1800 block of Winnipeg Street.

When the driver began to get out of the vehicle to help the passenger get out, the suspect reportedly approached the taxi and got inside.

According to police, there was a struggle between the driver and the suspect before the vehicle was stolen while the passenger was still inside.

After the thief drove a very short distance the vehicle crashed into a tree, and the thief ran from the vehicle on foot.

Police found a man matching the suspect’s description in the area, and he was taken arrested.

Nobody was hurt and 33-year-old Raymond Chailln Quewezance has been charged with robbery and mischief under $5,000.

Quewezance was set to make his first court appearance on Wednesday.