3 cab drivers charged after taxi vandalism appear in court
Taxi drivers face charges of mischief over $5,000, possession of a dangerous weapon
Three taxi drivers appeared in court Friday to face charges after allegedly vandalizing taxis during a protest on the Airport Parkway earlier this week.
The men, all from Ottawa, were identified by police and arrested Thursday. They are 54, 60 and 21 years old.
Each man was charged with one count of mischief over $5,000 and one count of possession of a dangerous weapon, specified as a metal pole in court documents.
The men do not have criminal records, according to Ottawa court information.
They are scheduled to return to court on Sept 28.
Airport taxi drivers have been locked out of the airport cab stand for five weeks in a dispute with their dispatcher, Coventry Connections, over an increase in fees for the exclusive right to pick up at the airport.
Ottawa taxi drivers who continue to pick up at the airport have said they believe their vehicles are being vandalized in retaliation.
Ottawa police received several reports of taxis being vandalized on Tuesday and a video was posted to YouTube showing protesters smashing the back windshield of a Blueline taxi.
A New Brunswick man had to dodge glass when the taxi carrying him was attacked by protesters. George MacLeod of St. Stephen, said protesters smashed the rear windshield of the cab he was in on Tuesday after he was picked up at the Ottawa airport.
