Cab driver stabbed in West Rogers Park attempted robbery

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A passenger stabbed a Chicago cab driver during a robbery attempt early Friday.

The suspect stabbed the driver after he refused to hand over cash around 2:30 a.m. in the 6700-block of North California. It's unknown whether the robber got any money. The robber got into a car that was following the taxi.

The cab driver was treated at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. He was stabbed in his right arm and left leg.

A friend of the Yellow Cab driver describes the scary encounter.

"They put that knife on his neck," said Hamza Khazi. "He was just trying to defend himself and they hit (him) with the knife on his forearm and on his leg."

The cab driver picked up the fare near Devon and Western.

Union officials with the United Taxi Drivers Community Council say the city should require cameras in all cabs.

"We also think the city should also be required to a safety button in the car so that the cab driver could be connected to 911 and the cameras be attached to the police," said Peter Enger of the UTDCC.