STEALING A TAXI CAB IS ONE WAY TO GET INTO TROUBLE WITH THE LAW

At about 11:50pm, on Saturday, March 12, 2011, officers from Area A-1 (Downtown) responded to a radio call for a stolen taxi in the area of State and Kirby Streets. Officers spoke to the operator of the taxi who stated that the suspect entered his cab and sat in the front seat. When the operator asked him to sit in the back, the suspect refused. At this point, the operator informed the suspect that he was going to call the police. However, when the operator got out of his cab to make the call, the suspect, still sitting in the front seat, slid behind the wheel of the car and drove off.  According to the victim, the suspect drove his car a short ways, exited the car and fled on foot. The suspect was described as a white male in his forties with a bald head.

In short time, an officer performing a paid detail observed an individual who looked like the suspect. Given his observations, the detail officer stopped the suspect in order to ascertain his identity. When the operator of the taxi was brought to the scene and saw the suspect, he stated, “That’s him.” 

Officers arrested Paul Delellis, 41, of Winthrop and charged him with Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle.