TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested an American male in the dodging of a taxi fare and assault of a driver whose vehicle he entered twice while intoxicated, reports TV Asahi (Mar. 21).
On March 14, the suspect, 27, allegedly twisted the arm of the male driver, 47, in fleeing from the cab in Koto Ward without paying the fare of 6,500 yen.
About 10 minutes later, he re-entered the same vehicle accidentally. The driver then proceeded to a nearby police box. However, the suspect fled the vehicle again after striking the cabbie in the head. He was apprehended shortly thereafter by police arriving at the scene.
The suspect denies the charges, telling police he was drunk and “does not recall” the incident.
The American arrived in Japan the day before the incident to look for a job as a bartender.
