Police say the Katherine Cabs driver was called to a job at Carramar Flats on Riverbank Drive at around 8.30 pm last night to pick up a man using the name of "Andrew".

On arrival, the driver picked up three men who requested to be driven to the Katherine Low Level Bridge.

It was there that the man calling himself "Andrew" pulled the driver from the vehicle, punched him to the ground and got into the driver's seat. A second offender then kicked the driver in the abdomen while he lay on the ground before all three offenders fled the scene in the taxi. The taxi driver suffered an abrasion to the elbow, some bruises and swelling to the face.

At about 4.20 am Police patrols located the taxi about 6 km away on Emungalen Rd, just north of Katherine. The vehicle had suffered minor front end damage and is currently undergoing a forensic examination. Police are still determining whether any money or other items were stolen from the cab.

The offenders are all described as being part Aboriginal, aged in their 20's. The first man, who gave his name as "Andrew", has short, shaved style hair and was wearing a dark T-Shirt and dark knee length board shorts. The second offender, who allegedly kicked the victim, had curly, shoulder length hair and a deep voice and was wearing a dark shirt and dark knee length shorts. The third man was wearing a dark coloured shirt and shorts. All three were barefoot.

Katherine detectives are interested in talking to anyone in the vicinity of Riverbank Drive / Carramar flats during the evening prior to about 8.30pm, or to anyone who can provide information leading to the identity of the offenders.

Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers on 131444 - information can be passed on anonymously.


Media contact:
David Harris
8922 3365