Video released of suspect in Camden cab driver stabbing
CAMDEN, N.J. (WPVI) -- Police have released surveillance video of the suspect who stabbed a cab driving during a robbery in Camden, New Jersey.
The video shows the suspect, described as a Hispanic male in his late teens or early 20's, wearing a light-colored or white shirt, getting out of the car and fleeing.
The victim, 50-year-old Juan Fortuna, is expected to make a full recovery, his family tells Action News.
The incident happened around midnight Wednesday in front of the John Wesley Apartments at State and North Front streets.
Family members say Fortuna was giving a passenger a ride when the suspect asked Fortuna if he had change for a $50 bill.
The veteran driver, whose family owns 5 Star Cab Co. in Pennsauken, knew something was wrong.
"He said he looked in the rear view mirror, and the guy said, 'What are you looking at?'" said family friend Brandon Ramos, who spoke with Fortuna Wednesday morning after the attack. "And he said he knew that was a red flag."
Shortly after that, the suspect began stabbing Fortuna in the shoulder.
While he was being attacked, Fortuna crashed his cab into a parked car, with the suspect inside, in front of the apartment complex.
"He crashed his car on purpose to cause a scene so people could draw attention," said Ramos.
The suspect fled.
The woman whose car was damaged heard the commotion, came out, and drove Fortuna to the hospital herself.
He suffered at least four stab wounds to his shoulder and one defensive wound to his hand.
Police said it was just on Tuesday that another cab driver was assaulted in Camden. He was punched multiple times.
"We seemed to have gotten this under control as of late, but these last two incidents are of concern to me," said Camden County Police Chief Scott Thomson.
Fortuna said he is grateful to have escaped.
Camden police continue to investigate, and are asking anyone with information to call them.
