Taxi driver robbed at gunpoint in Yuma

A taxi cab driver was robbed at gunpoint Saturday morning by a passenger he had picked up.

According to Officer Joe Franklin, Yuma police responded to the 2500 block of W. 24th Street at about 1:10 a.m. in reference to an armed robbery.

Franklin said the initial investigation into the incident revealed Heriberto Silva, a cab driver for Buchanan's Transportation, picked up a male passenger in the area of the 2900 block of S. Pacific Avenue and drove him to the 2500 block of W. 24th Street.

Upon arrival to that location, Franklin said the suspect got out of the cab, displayed a black handgun and demanded money from Silva. After being given an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect hit Silva in the face with the gun and fled the area on foot.

The suspect is described as approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall with a thin build, short hair, and was last seen wearing a blue shirt and has not yet been apprehended.

Silva sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center, where he was treated for his wounds.

This incident is being investigated and the Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with information about this case to please call the Yuma Police Department at 373-4700 or 78-Crime to remain anonymous.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter at @YSJamesGilbert.