Man Steals Red Taxi, Goes On Destructive Joy Ride
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A red taxi belonging to the Yellow Cab Company disappeared from their North Side lot Thursday night.
"Brand new Impala we put on the road for the American Heart Association," Yellow Cab Company Director Jerry Campolongo said.
He found that wires were pulled from other cabs.
Police believe 32-year-old Benjamin Kane, of Imperial, took the red taxi. He's charged with driving under the influence.
David and Donna Mazza had just gotten home from Thanksgiving dinner when the out-of-control taxi rolled across their lawn.
"Went into my front yard, took out a bunch of stones - ran through my front yard came down the street."
Careening down Carnahan Road in Banksville, the cab knocked a fire hydrant off its base leaving a trail of red plastic.
"Took out a wall - almost hit a house - took out a light post in the front yard."
In the cab's wake - tire tracks over three more front yards. No one was hurt. Kane managed to get the cab back on the road, but was arrested not long after.
Not much was left of the cab, says Jerry Campolongo, which had only been in service for three days.
"And it's rolled up in a little ball," he said.
Benjamin Kane was taken to the Allegheny County Jail. His bail set at $5,000.
Neighbors along Carnahan Road say this is the third time in a dozen years that somebody behind the wheel ran amuck - and every time they were allegedly drunk.
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