Police are searching for a cab driver who they say raped a passenger when she fell asleep on a ride home from Williamsburg last week.
The woman, 26, had hailed a cab home from a bar on May 6, and fell asleep on the ride. When she woke up, her hands were tied with a scarf, and the cabbie was raping her at knifepoint in the backseat, police said.
The alleged assault took place near Rodney and South First streets in Williamsburg, the NYPD said.
The hack, described as 40 to 45 years old with a red and orange turban, stole her phone and $20, according to police. He remains on the loose.
His photo is being put up in taxi garages citywide, according to Taxi and Limousine Commission spokesman Allan Fromberg.
An NYPD spokesman said they do not know his license number or if he had a criminal record.
But having a criminal record doesn’t automatically prevent someone from getting their taxi license, said Fromberg, even if they have done time for sexual assault or murder.
However, the TLC weighs those crime convictions seriously.
“If you were convicted of a crime involving violence, driving under the influence, substance abuse or sexual abuse … we may deny your license,” reads the cab driver application.
Follow Alison Bowen on Twitter @AlisonatMetro.
