Former HMP officer Edward Taylor released on bail after alleged taxi theft

A former correctional officer who spent time in jail for drug trafficking has been released on bail as his charges for stealing a cab make its way through the courts in St. John's. 

Edward Taylor, 35, was released on $5,000 bail in provincial court on Friday afternoon.

Taylor will have to check in with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary weekly and abstain from drinking alcohol. 

He was arrested early Thursday morning, after he took police on an alleged car chase in a stolen cab, which started in the Prince of Wales Street area. 

It's alleged that Taylor drove around for a short while before ditching the car when police showed up.

The RNC located him a short time later with the help of a police dog. 

Taylor made headlines several years ago, when he was arrested and subsequently sentenced for trafficking drugs and attempting to smuggle them inside Her Majesty's Penitentiary, where he worked as a correctional officer.

Taylor, who is also facing a charge of assault causing bodily harm from a September incident, is expected back in court on May 27.