BOSTON POLICE INVESTIGATESEXUAL AND INDECENT ASSAULT INCIDENTS
Officers Remind Community Members to Be Vigilant and Aware of Surroundings
The Boston Police Department has identified recent incidents which involve allegations of sexual and indecent assaults committed by taxi, livery and gypsy cab drivers. The Sexual Assault Unit is working closely with the Hackney Carriage Unit to investigate the following incidents.
Investigators do not believe any of the below incidents are connected. However, the Boston Police would like to take this opportunity to remind females to always be vigilant and to take the appropriate safety precautions to avoid potentially dangerous situations.
Incident Descriptions
• On October 4, 2008 at approximately 11:50 p.m., a female reports that she was a victim of an Indecent Assault and Battery inside a taxi cab in the area of Atlantic Avenue. The victim reports that she was assaulted by the cab driver. The suspect is described as a Middle Eastern male, in his 30s, 5’8”, 170 lbs. driving a white taxi with green letters. The incident remains under investigation by the Sexual Assault Unit.
• On October 11, 2008 at approximately 2:00 a.m. and in the area of 20 Park Plaza, a female reports that she hailed an unknown limousine. She got into the livery vehicle and she reports that she was indecently assaulted by the limo driver. She describes that suspect as a male, who is 5’8”, tan and speaks with an accent. The investigation into this incident is ongoing.
• On October 24, 2008 at approximately 3:00 a.m. in the area of Uphams Corner, a female victim reports that she was sexually assaulted by a taxi driver. The victim describes her attacker as a Haitian black male, 5’8” and 180 lbs. This incident remains under investigation.
• On November 1, 2008 at approximately 5:30 a.m. in the area of Park Plaza, a female victim reports that she hailed a livery driver. She reports waking up in the back seat of a town car. Her clothes were in disarray and the victim cannot provide further information.
• On December 7, 2008 at approximately 2:50 a.m., female victim reports being picked up in the Hemenway Street area by an off-duty taxi driver operating his personal vehicle. The driver drove her to Saugus and sexually assaulted her. The suspect was arrested and charged with aggravated rape, kidnapping and having an unregistered/uninsured motor vehicle.
TIPS FOR ENSURING YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY
• If you are in fear or feel in danger dial 911 immediately.
• Avoid walking or travelling alone late at night. Walk with friends and people you know.
• Consume alcohol responsibly and stay in the company of friends.
• Do not accept rides from out-of-town cabs or individuals in personal vehicles.
• Do not sit in the front seat of a taxi.
• Do not accept a ride locally for anything except a Boston Licensed Taxi. They all say “BOSTON LIC. TAXI” on both rear fenders.
• Make note of the taxi medallion number. It is located on both front fenders, the rear of the taxi and written on the rate card in the back of the taxi.
• Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. When parking, walking or returning to your car, remain in well-lit and populated areas.
• Wear sneakers or shoes that allow for added mobility.
• Be watchful and aware. Keep your head up. Don’t become distracted by the use of cell phones or headphones.
• Keep a whistle within reach. If you feel threatened, use it to signal residents that you need assistance. Yelling “Fire!” “Help!” and/or “Rape!” are other ways of drawing attention and alerting people that you need help.
• Hold your car keys in your hand to use as a weapon against an attacker.
• Carry a cell phone.
• Call ahead to your destination to alert them that you’re on your way. Make sure that you’re expected at a certain time, so people will know to look for you in the event you fail to arrive at the designated time.
• Don’t assume, \”IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME.\”
If you have a complaint regarding a taxi, contact 617-536-TAXI or email Taxi.bpd@cityofboston.gov.

BOSTON POLICE INVESTIGATESEXUAL AND INDECENT ASSAULT INCIDENTS
Officers Remind Community Members to Be Vigilant and Aware of Surroundings
The Boston Police Department has identified recent incidents which involve allegations of sexual and indecent assaults committed by taxi, livery and gypsy cab drivers. The Sexual Assault Unit is working closely with the Hackney Carriage Unit to investigate the following incidents.
Investigators do not believe any of the below incidents are connected. However, the Boston Police would like to take this opportunity to remind females to always be vigilant and to take the appropriate safety precautions to avoid potentially dangerous situations.
Incident Descriptions
• On October 4, 2008 at approximately 11:50 p.m., a female reports that she was a victim of an Indecent Assault and Battery inside a taxi cab in the area of Atlantic Avenue. The victim reports that she was assaulted by the cab driver. The suspect is described as a Middle Eastern male, in his 30s, 5’8”, 170 lbs. driving a white taxi with green letters. The incident remains under investigation by the Sexual Assault Unit.
• On October 11, 2008 at approximately 2:00 a.m. and in the area of 20 Park Plaza, a female reports that she hailed an unknown limousine. She got into the livery vehicle and she reports that she was indecently assaulted by the limo driver. She describes that suspect as a male, who is 5’8”, tan and speaks with an accent. The investigation into this incident is ongoing.
• On October 24, 2008 at approximately 3:00 a.m. in the area of Uphams Corner, a female victim reports that she was sexually assaulted by a taxi driver. The victim describes her attacker as a Haitian black male, 5’8” and 180 lbs. This incident remains under investigation.
• On November 1, 2008 at approximately 5:30 a.m. in the area of Park Plaza, a female victim reports that she hailed a livery driver. She reports waking up in the back seat of a town car. Her clothes were in disarray and the victim cannot provide further information.
• On December 7, 2008 at approximately 2:50 a.m., female victim reports being picked up in the Hemenway Street area by an off-duty taxi driver operating his personal vehicle. The driver drove her to Saugus and sexually assaulted her. The suspect was arrested and charged with aggravated rape, kidnapping and having an unregistered/uninsured motor vehicle.
TIPS FOR ENSURING YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY
• If you are in fear or feel in danger dial 911 immediately.
• Avoid walking or travelling alone late at night. Walk with friends and people you know.
• Consume alcohol responsibly and stay in the company of friends.
• Do not accept rides from out-of-town cabs or individuals in personal vehicles.
• Do not sit in the front seat of a taxi.
• Do not accept a ride locally for anything except a Boston Licensed Taxi. They all say “BOSTON LIC. TAXI” on both rear fenders.
• Make note of the taxi medallion number. It is located on both front fenders, the rear of the taxi and written on the rate card in the back of the taxi.
• Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. When parking, walking or returning to your car, remain in well-lit and populated areas.
• Wear sneakers or shoes that allow for added mobility.
• Be watchful and aware. Keep your head up. Don’t become distracted by the use of cell phones or headphones.
• Keep a whistle within reach. If you feel threatened, use it to signal residents that you need assistance. Yelling “Fire!” “Help!” and/or “Rape!” are other ways of drawing attention and alerting people that you need help.
• Hold your car keys in your hand to use as a weapon against an attacker.
• Carry a cell phone.
• Call ahead to your destination to alert them that you’re on your way. Make sure that you’re expected at a certain time, so people will know to look for you in the event you fail to arrive at the designated time.
• Don’t assume, \”IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME.\”
If you have a complaint regarding a taxi, contact 617-536-TAXI or email Taxi.bpd@cityofboston.gov.