The critical clue allowing Denver police to nab a 19-year-old woman in connection with a taxi carjacking was provided serendipitously by the suspect herself the moment she climbed into the cab and said where she was going.
Sure enough, the woman didn’t lie. She actually did wish to go to a house near West 38th Avenue and Federal Boulevard.
Police arrested the woman minutes after she stole a taxi at knifepoint following a short foot chase at around 2 a.m.
“The cab driver was definitely able to give us information that helped us track her down,” said Doug Schepman, Denver police spokesman. Police have not released the name of the suspect.
The Metro Taxi driver picked up his fare and drove to a gas station in the 100 block of Knox Court. While he was pumping gas into his car, the woman climbed into the driver’s seat. When the taxi driver realized what was happening, the suspect threatened him with the knife, Schepman said.
“The driver reported that she flourished a knife as she was driving away,” Schepman said.
The taxi driver called 911 and told a dispatcher where the suspect claimed she wanted to go.
Police spotted the car in the 2900 block of West Denver Place, just one block from where the woman had wanted to go.
Officers spotted her on the street near West 38th Avenue and Federal Boulevard. When she saw police, the woman took off running, Schepman said. Police were able to arrest her following a short foot pursuit, he said.
The Denver District Attorney’s Office will make final charging decisions, Schepman said.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206, kmitchell@denverpost.com or @kirkmitchell or
