Knife held against neck of taxi driver, police say

A 24-year-old man charged with robbery held a knife to a taxi driver’s throat in the Kalihi area, according to a court document.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for today at District Court in Honolulu for Samson Tagataese, also known as Samson Isaako, who has been charged with first-degree robbery and first-degree criminal property damage.

He remains in custody in lieu of $75,000 bail.

Shortly after 1 a.m. Friday, police said, a 24-year-old taxi driver employed by The Cab picked up a male passenger at a location that was undisclosed in a court document. The passenger requested to be driven to Kuhio Park Terrace.

While the cab was stopped at a traffic light at the intersection of Kaua and Middle streets, a black Nissan Altima pulled up on the driver’s side of the taxi, at which time the taxi passenger restrained the driver with his arm across the victim’s chest.

Police said the Altima driver, later identified as Tagataese, exited the vehicle and approached the taxi driver’s window. The court document said he then held a knife to the driver’s throat and demanded money. The other suspect punched the victim in the head.

Police said the driver handed cash to the passenger, who then passed the money to Tagataese.

The passenger got into the Altima while Tagataese grabbed the victim’s cellphone from the dashboard and demanded his keys, the document said. Police said the driver instead “accelerated northbound on Kaua Street toward the Fort Shafter off-ramp.”

Tagataese allegedly chased the taxi in the Altima and rammed the rear of the vehicle, causing the taxi driver to lose control of his Nissan Quest. The driver then struck the passenger side of the Altima as he attempted to regain control.

Police said Tagataese and the taxi driver stopped their vehicles at or near the shoulder on Kaua Street. The taxi driver then ran to Buckner Gate at Fort Shafter, where he reported the robbery to the gate guard.

Police responded and located Tagataese walking on the sidewalk on Kaua Street. The court document said police arrested him after the victim identified him.

The other suspect remains at large.