Cab driver stabbed in the torso in Bel Air

BEL AIR, Md. - An ABC Taxi cab car is now part of a police investigation.  The owner of the company in Aberdeen is back in the office, working on security upgrades after his overnight lead driver was stabbed.

"He was on the radio trying to tell him that he had been robbed and stabbed and he wanted him to call me," said Harold Zellman, ABC Taxi, Aberdeen.   

The Harford County Sheriff's Office picked up the case just after 1:30 Saturday morning.  Deputies say 53-year-old Bob Donley was asked to take a man to Fountain Green Rd. and Crescent Knoll Dr. in Bel Air.

It was a quick trip, just five minutes away from the pick-up location.

"A taxi cab driver had been stabbed by a fare that he had picked up in the 1600 block of Chester Way.  The individual had demanded money," said Monica Worrell, Harford Co. Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman.    

Donley was stabbed in the upper torso.  He was taken to Shock trauma in serious condition.  The suspect fled.

"There's been a flood of calls here from our customers and they're very angry because a lot of those people depend on us, and they fear that we'll quit driving at night," said Zellman.  

They don't plan to quit, but the stabbing is the worst crime against a cabbie the company has seen.  So the owner plans to install security walls in the cabs and credit card machines.  No money may mean no robbery.

"We have a worst job than even police officers.  At least they're armed.  They have something else to protect themselves with.  If nothing else, a deterrent.  We have nothing.  Common sense is all we take with us out there," said Zellman.    

If you have information to help police, you can contact the Criminal Investigation Division: 410-836-5081.