Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Suspects in Mt. Laurel Cab Robbery Charged with Attempted Murder

The cab driver is listed in critical condition at Cooper Hospital following a violent carjacking/robbery that netted $40 for the suspects, police said.

UPDATE: Mount Laurel Police have arrested four people in connection with the violent robbery/carjacking of a cab driver early Monday morning, according to a release from the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office.

The following individuals were each charged with one count of first-degree attempted murder, one count of carjacking, and one count of robbery: Breanna Pimienta, 18, of 2995 Chapel Ave., Cherry Hill; Miguel Mercado, 21, of 2995 Chapel Ave., Cherry Hill; Mahadi M. Robinson Jr., 21, of 220 South Lenola Road, Maple Shade; and a 17-year-old male.

Authorities said the defendants were at Pimienta and Mercado’s residence early Monday morning when they arranged to have a taxi pick them up at a nearby pharmacy. They instructed the driver to take them to Mount Laurel.

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Upon arriving at Forrest Court around 3 a.m., authorities said Robinson put the driver in a choke hold and the assault began. After sustaining a severe laceration to his neck, the driver escaped the cab and fled to a nearby residence to seek help. Mercado then climbed into the driver’s seat and drove a short distance before crashing into a tree, according to the release from the prosecutor's office. 

The defendants got $40 off the driver, according to the release. Authorities did not identify the driver, who works for Five Star Cab Service out of Camden. He remained in critical condition at Cooper University Hospital Monday night.

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Robinson and the juvenile were picked up by a Mount Laurel patrol unit that was responding to the crime scene. Pimienta and Mercado were apprehended at their residence at approximately 3 p.m. Monday by the Cherry Hill Police Department’s Tactical Response Team, the release stated.

The investigation was conducted by detectives from the Mount Laurel Police Department, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Unit, and the Willingboro Township Police Department’s K-9 Unit.

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Two adult males, an adult female and a juvenile male have each been charged with attempted murder, robbery and carjacking, the statement said. 

The names of the suspects have not yet been released by authorities.

Additional information will be released soon, according to the statement. 

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Thieves attacked a cab driver in Mount Laurel early Monday morning, cutting him across the neck before robbing him, according to police.

The assault occurred around 3 a.m. on Forrest Court. The cab driver, who was not identified by police, sought help at a nearby residence before being airlifted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he underwent surgery. He remained in critical condition Monday afternoon, according to a release from the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office. 

Two suspects have already been taken into custody, and two more are being sought, the release stated. No charges have been filed. The prosecutor's office is investigating in conjunction with Mount Laurel Police.

Authorities said additional details would be made available later today. 

All information provided by the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.


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