M.V. Man Busted For Road Rage
Driving recklessly and assaulting an off-duty police officer who tried to stop him proved costly for a cab driver from Middle Village who rode the fast lane to a jail cell last Thursday night, Feb. 16, police reported.
The suspect was identified by law enforcement sources as 24-year-old Djfar Sambou of 60th Avenue.
Reportedly, Sambou was observed by an off-duty police officer driving down the wrong way of a one-way street in the vicinity of 64th and Dry Harbor roads at around 10:40 p.m. last Thursday.
According to information provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office, the officer observed the cab then cut off another vehicle. Police said the officer identified himself to Sambou and ordered him to stop, but the suspect allegedly yelled at him and sped away.
Moments later, according to the criminal complaint, Sambou returned to the intersection of 64th and Dry Harbor roads and confronted the offduty officer.
Law enforcement sources said the taxi driver allegedly placed his hands around the officer’s neck and began choking him.
Members of the 104th precinct were called to the scene and placed Sambou in custody. The off-duty officer was not seriously injured.
Sambou was charged with second and third-degree assault, criminal obstruction of breathing, reckless endangerment and reckless driving.
Court records noted that the taxi driver was arraigned last Friday, Feb. 17, in Queens Criminal Court before Judge John Zoll, who released him on his own recognizance.
He is scheduled to return to court on Mar. 9.
