Orem cops: Man jailed for trying to stab cabbie over fare

Sure, transportation is pretty expensive these days with oil prices on the rise. But pulling a knife on a cabbie still isn't the way to protest a fare, Orem police say.

That was the lesson a 34-year-old man was learning from behind the bars of the Utah County Jail on Wednesday.

Allegedly intoxicated, the suspect called for a taxi to pick him up early Wednesday morning near 1100 North and State Street. Then things began to go south, so to speak, as the suspect asked about going north — to Salt Lake City.

Police said when the cabbie quoted $80 as the fare, the would-be rider became enraged, taking out a knife and attempting to stab the driver twice.

The driver called 911. Officers arrived as the suspect ran down the street and into an apartment complex, where he was located and arrested.

The suspect was booked into Utah County Jail, where records confirmed he was being on suspicion of aggravated assault.

The Daily Herald reported that officers recovered a backpack allegedly belonging to the suspect which contained a folding knife, a small quantity of methamphetamine and marijuana.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims