TAXI HORROR - Woman who jumped from cab during police chase recalls fearing for her life

#JamaicaGleaner
JULY 24, 2024: What was supposed to be a 15-minute drive to her workplace aboard an illegal taxi turned into a 30-minute horror story for an unsuspecting female security guard caught in a reckless high-speed chase involving the police in the Corporate Area Tuesday.
The 28-year-old woman, who The Gleaner will identify as Justine Brown, left home with the intention of getting to her work post in downtown Kingston. However, she and another female passenger would end up having to jump from the moving vehicle.
On Monday, a similar incident occurred in Stony Hill Square about 11:15am.
Passengers were held against their will while another robot taxi driver attempted to outdrive a group of police and transport authority inspectors.
He was, however, cut off by a truck and the authorities in tow swooped down, forcefully removing him from behind the steering wheel.
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Jamaica Gleaner
@JamaicaGleaner

[@A.Walker.]

I can only imagine how traumatic and terrifying that experience was for the passengers. Some will have PTSD for a while. This world can be a scary place at times.😣

[@JacqulineThomas-lg1mh]

Dem wicked drivers deh u see man why they always doing that 🤔🤔

[@MichelleT1]

It's not the world it's the people in it. This is sad what happened still😢

[@susanma3483]

Correction. Jamaica can be a very really scary place.😮

[@Jj-ou6bv]

Almost everywhere is scary 💀

[@The966362aao]

The government needs to provide job opportunities for the youths.

[@suzieflawless8236]

Jah know star. That’s why mi nuh take taxi that mi nuh know enuh. So sorry for your experience hun.

[@1redzzofficial155]

U have u own car or u man bring u guh everywhere?

[@islandboyjay1914]

U should take a chicken 😂

[@cesj1]

So because a one driver u ago group everybody ina it?? 😂😂 make it make sense

[@pinkrose1438]

Trust no one. The ones you know believe you trust them and they are the undercover serial wrong doers. Make sure you take a picture of the taxi plate # and the driver a d send it to someone's phone who you know. Always focus on your surroundings. Travel in groups don't go into an empty car/ taxi by your self. God bless and keep everyone safe. Im happy you're safe and you will be OK ❤🙏

[@user-jc9yg6hx2w]

Make him try that with a man ... first box him get him woulda see doubles.

[@yvonnewright3449]

You are full lol Lord of mercy 😅

[@user-rg5vo4zt4p]

😂😂😂

[@gloriathompson4010]

All the driver had to do was to stop. It would just be a small cost. much less than the expense of damaging two cars and causing fear to passengers

[@LivingOnPurpose1]

@@gloriathompson4010 I agree

[@kimanir1802]

He saw her as leverage to make the cops not shoot the vehicle.

[@LivingOnPurpose1]

@kimanir1802 officers do not shoot vehicles which they are in pursuitant of. The bullets could end up flying/ricocheting anywhere, and that's absolutely dangerous and reckless.

[@ingridsmith-allen1827]

So true, damn idiot... Causing unnecessary chaos. Bet., hes not the owner of the car.

[@tashgreen8860]

​@@LivingOnPurpose1a lie that some police will shoot, some will not

[@tonyclarke24]

That was literally kidnapping in action he must be charged for attempt kidnapping, hit and run, damage to public property and also attempted murder since the victim said he was not going to let them out whilst driving recklessly. 15-25 years minimum Great Journalism Gleaner

[@poochieloy4488]

Wishful thinkin

[@tyronegrey6386]

This taximan should be charged for kidnapping.

[@anthonyfagan2225]

@tyronegrey6386, if complainants are willing to give statements and go to court

[@krishmarX]

Kidnapping are you mental even though they were held against their will this was not kidnapping

[@keishalumsden5203]

By law, that is supposed to be his charge along with the rest

[@Anthony-lv1mi]

We the government need to find ways to prevent our people from being so Afraid they go extreme 😃🇯🇲

[@anthonyfagan2225]

​@krishmarX , it could be kidnapping based on "points to prove,"but without a complainant, you cannot.

[@gianomorrisseye7277]

He's not a taxi man. He's an illegal operator.

[@goodharvest7954]

STOP TAKING ILLEGAL TAXIS!!!!!!! Argument done!!!!!!

[@ckbond41]

How would you know if a taxi is running illegally.

[@gotta.love.zayyyy]

How tf we gonna know do we look like mind readers

[@erickaplummer4496]

All when it's not illegal police quick to shoot. So she jump

[@erickaplummer4496]

All when it's not illegal police quick to shoot. So she jump

[@ladyk5019]

the plates​@@ckbond41

[@dpark1964]

When the police prosecute them. The same public say the government & police fighting against taximan.

[@onegeneral9934]

Agree fam jamaican people a real dunce and tell u what taxi man will drive reckless with some people and them naa say nutten and when police a do them work the same set a people a lick on the police them but if the taxi man crash and them get hurt them lick out against the taxi men them dum and silly people them trust me the people them sick stomach fam

[@jovyjovy7328]

Blasting idiots!!! Nuh badda nah talk bout di kidnapping and endangerment a di passengers. Dem more concerned wid the criminal taxi driver 🙄🙄 that’s Jamaicans for you some a straight back a bush plp. Thank goodness fi di few smart people.

[@tm8844]

Exactly!

[@audreythomas9657]

These 2 ladies lucky. For all .was he kidnapping dem.whe didn't he stop?

[@boomclash101]

The fact that you blind to see that the government caused this issue is a problem. Jamaica is not a sovereign country its a slave country owned by the common wealth. Ps police dount prosecute they arrest give tickets . A man can't make an honest living so I guess you would rather him roving and steeling maybe killing for the paper dollar that ain't worth nothing nowhere on ly in the made up society called jamaica and other monopoly locations made up by colonizers.

[@francinewhyte4223]

These taxi men cause things like this on them self, the full length of the law should be enforce on these types of behavior.

[@gwendolynbennett-brooks5556]

Let the police do their work. That's why some a you live with gun man. The law is the law. Too much indiscipline in the country.

[@ervinfeelings8829]

Police have no right to abuse anyone

[@elanawright123]

Them fi charge him all 10 times why he didn't just let the females out kmt

[@Ali-uf9kq]

I get your message and I see where driver was very wrong I promise I do but the police is trash and as no real since of morals, not different from the taxi driver’s actions

[@merrickupha6621]

The police tell you to stop you stop! Do not do the crime if you can’t do the time.

[@KINGDOMDAUGHTER]

Thank goodness for phones and social media to record this and give thanks to Father God to spear her life and everyone in that car. Even speared the life of that taxi driver to not get shot up by the police them who surrounded the car. What a rebellious and stubborn taxi driver, careless to life and recklessly putting people's lives at risk because of their unruly spirits. Glory to God

[@safia59]

Taking these vehicles are bad for your life.

[@dawnjames3470]

Look How He Endangered So many People's Life, Mi nuh Sorry Fi Them , Obey The Laws, n Stop Breaking It. Unuh Mek The Police Duh Them Work People. , Those people will Be Traumatized For Life😢😢😢😢😢

[@User05204]

😮😮😮 Thank God you are okay 🙏

[@sittingherewatching364]

You see how the people dem a defend the illegal taxi driver and ignoring the TRUE victims

[@PatrickSamuels-nv4xr]

Some of these taximan police fe handle them wroser than that, this man driver license fe ban for life,

[@Sznated]

Ban😂

[@highthoughts1]

This driver must get deal wid.

[@pauls330]

the driver should be charged with abduction, reckless and dangerous driving, disobeying many road traffic act, braking one way, resisting arrest, trying to evade the police, endangerment to civilian life, damage to private property, damage to public property, disobeying the police command, i could go on and on with more charges. this driver should not be able to drive again ever. and should be charged without bail or parole.

[@mowanswaby281]

15 years prison sentence minimum for the driver

[@muszemusze7572]

I love her accent and her tone in her voice!!!!!

[@robertcamble3543]

I was in jamaica a few monrhs ago . I wanted to go to Kingston & i dont take taxis,i took the j.u.t.c. bus instead .

[@AnnRodney-vm8wi]

Very sad and I am lost for words.

[@khalifisilva]

I know that taxi man, he is sometimes at price rite and half way tree, he always looked suspicious like a criminal I never trusted him

[@irationroyality6579]

Very interesting. He got csught anyway, after many violations it would have been easier, if from the beginning he had comply. So much stupidity.

[@onegeneral9934]

Him fi get 50 years ina prison

[@princessmolly9549]

Police a do dem job and the viper dem a try prevent it. Smh!

[@horecedun]

Needs to pass a law that when the police is doing their job that there should be no interference there is already such a law

[@Ali-uf9kq]

They need to pass a law on how civilians/public are treated while carrying out an arrest by police or any other armed forces 🙏 😊

[@Ali-uf9kq]

That’s why people are recording because their humans rights are being ignored by people that can take their lives without any repercussions

[@Ali-uf9kq]

Jamaica is out of control on so many levels it’s a shame 😳 when people are getting trained for this role they need a serious morality test before getting into this position and during having this kind of job position

[@gloriathompson4010]

Why question the lady repeatedly. U hear what she said. She was at Mothers down town at her stop

[@mowayne6860]

I was thinking the same thing

[@TamaraDavis-qv8ml]

The reporter dunce

[@highthoughts1]

KIDNAPPING!!!

[@honeybeedaniels]

Jamaica's criminal justice system isn't so sophisticated. They are probably going to charge him with evading the course of justice, dangerous driving, and the main apprehension charge.

[@waynerobinson6874]

Jamaica need to pass a law so that when the police doing their job the public cannot interfare

[@LivingOnPurpose1]

@@waynerobinson6874 and all who interfere should also be charged with obstruction of police affairs

[@A.Walker.]

I agree people should not interfere. But there are times when the police have crossed the line by using excessive force. Having people around have often helped deescalate/temper things. Everyone should be held to account, even those in authority. They're still only human, after all, and do err at times.

[@eileengardner9064]

I agree with you 💯💯💯💯💯💯 it's about time

[@LivingOnPurpose1]

@A.Walker. I understand that, but let's please stay on track. This video and reporting showed and explained what happened and how it was handled. These officers did not cross the line.

[@devonjohnson4597]

I said that this morning

[@Anthony-lv1mi]

People are now resorting to Extreme to Avoid going to Prison. It is a start to something else to come 🇯🇲🧐

[@CopperSkinnedMami]

Well this is all under your crime minister who made o b e a h legal what else do ya’ll expect? Pure darkness he ushered in, but ya’ll don’t know Andrew is a free Mason like the rest of them!

[@ramoalvarez8222]

I can bet you one thing, that as long as these three women live, they will never go back in a taxi, or rather a robot taxi. Anywhere they are going, they are going to leave out early, and take the Yellow bus or the Coaster bus. The Coaster bus takes a longer time to load, but they are going to sit and wait in the Coaster.

[@winstondonald3065]

Most taxi men have criminal record. A good percentage of them are deportees. Some have spent years in the prison and were paroled.

[@pauls330]

that is why they should comply with the police as to not make their matters worst

[@yvonnetaylor5433]

Some of the taxis is for the police

[@donovanpowell1113]

That taxi man shouldn't see back out a jail for over 6 months and get a sentance to prison what are really happened to this taxi mad dirty boy Why should anyone support this fool look u know it could cast the end of this woman life all because of his foolishness this taxi boy demand attitude toward by not abiding the road code rule and the taxi required to be an the road him must get a Long Lent of time please judge give him 1 years

[@LivingOnPurpose1]

This is so upsetting! I thank God that both female passengers are safe and alive today. This has got to be one of the most traumatic experience they've faced. I saw that video of the officers apprehending that driver and the amount of imbecile comments complaining about how the officers foot was on the driver's neck. Yuh see, when you don't know the full story unnuh fi shut up and wait for the rest of the story!

[@305jett]

i agree with you in some areas,yes he committed an awful crime, but nevertheless, he is a human been,and should not be treated like a wild animal

[@LivingOnPurpose1]

@305jett He was not treated like a wild animal. He cares zero about the two women's lives. If this had hit close to home, i.e., yourself or family, you wouldn't be this sympathetic towards him. Did you not hear the two women pleading vehemently for their lives to be spared? Anyways, he's been apprehended and getting and hopefully will never be able to operate a taxi ever again.

[@jesuschristislord418]

​@@305jettdid he see how he was treating his passengers like animals

[@STRAWYB]

I try to only travel with drivers that I know. You can talk to and encourage them to keep on the straight with their documents.

[@lornamalcolm553]

So sorry you two ladies had to go through this..omg. Glad no broken broken bones or so. You not going to take anymore taxi right? See if you can wake up earlier, leave our earlier and rake the JUTC, please. Take care and keep safe.❤

[@mikejohnson3601]

These taxi operators are some lawless set they think they are above the law just keep up work JCF

[@debbiemartin2627]

It seems like Indicom give the jcf a break 😅😅😅😅😅

[@sydaniah2129]

Bwoy I don't think I hate Satan like how I hate Taxi man!

[@deconneil2271]

i have followed Mr. McKenzie progress over the years and as a police he has always displayed himself with a high level of professionalism...keep up the work Mr. McKenzie ....

[@KINGDOMDAUGHTER]

Add kidnapping, dangering the lives of others, fleeing the orders of the police, plus others charges to his crime sheet

[@claudehedwards4564]

While I'm concerned these two innocent ladies encountered such horrific ordeal I'm happy they are alive and the Police didn't open fire on the vehicle. Congratulations JCF. Job well done. My question is though why didn't the ladies jump out the car before it left downtown than waiting until the vehicle was in such dangerous situation the jumped out that could be so dangerous for them . God bless them

[@jamdum2290]

This is what happens when citizens cuss police and defend unruly criminals, and this why they the criminals behave like this.. I hope this lady gets some treatment and counseling. And this criminal has thrown in prison for a long time.

[@omoymunroe6315]

15,000 for the simplest of ticket is a damn shame andrew

[@colorkidca4092]

What is so sad, The individual was very reckless, carefree, and literally had no care as to other’s safety. The situation could’ve been worst, because those two ladies could’ve lost their life. Because what! He refuse to adhere to the request of the officer. Reckless driving Placing someone life in danger Disobeying the law man Multiple accident And other counts of charges All because he Refuse to comply. Ignorance is a bliss.

[@JourneywithBobbsey]

Jutc straight

[@jamaicatvtv4215]

JAH JAH the law should be enforce on these types of behavior.

[@Quest1luv]

"They didn't have to beat him like that..." - interesting comment. The man had no regard for anyone, but himself, and the perspective is, "They didn't have to beat him like that...". Fair enough, I mean, "he didn't have to traumatize those 2 women, damage how many cars, nearly run people over, but he chose to, so..." 🤷🏾‍♂

[@dwayneallen5983]

Exactly bredda, people just want see police arresting soneone n offer some comment without kniwing any context. A lot dumb oeople in the world

[@alvirasamuels4942]

What a trauma. There should be more JUTC buses to provide public transport. Too much taxis with more hustling. You take a taxi and not sure who is who, dam craziness. Give thanks you are okay. Jamaica society is toxic.

[@fernebrown1812]

Are you telling me these passengers can't identify a red plate taxi?

[@marciahall9324]

Mad man

[@lornajohnson6491]

Jennifer typing police stop them must stop.why they wont compy to the police?

[@houseoftheman293]

So, what's the difference between chasing and pursuing?

[@harkermae]

I would like an explanation on that too

[@viannacross3290]

Lady you are lucky. Omg thats traumatic for you. I was going from gutters to santa cruise one day in Jamaica last year. I saw a taxi came my way.i asked these workers if i should take this taxi, they told me not to take it cause he’s look as thou he’s a bad taxi guy, so he stop for me to cone to him being he noticed that i was a foreigner, so the guys who where working, on the car mart, i ask the guy to pretend that he was my husband, so the taxi guy came over to me and told me they he was going to santa cruise and i must come in his car. I didn’t speak to him i shook my head to him meaning No” then he circled round and round to me so the guys told me that he’s a bogus taxi and he would took me away to side streets and kidnapped me. So with taxis in jamaica you need to be careful thanks to that guy so was working on the car mart and lady i hope you will recover and please pray and i hope you will regain your confidence Thank god you are safe🌹🙏🏽

[@josephelliston7852]

What these Badman's in Jamaica have these long rifles to do pose with them

[@vibesaddickentertainment9777]

Cabby say di lady sell him out 😂😂

[@maxinepowell1171]

Mighty God what is this!!Have mercy Jesus!!🙏

[@empressannjam1]

Many taxi operators have no behaviour, no respect for anyone. A dreadful set of people, fear dem

[@HeartBeatmovements]

Why these driver's don't comply when the police give orders..SMH

[@user-pr5ph8if9r]

Wow wat an ordeal can imagine prison for him he was on death wish mercy god.

[@evadniemorris4462]

Wow thank God you all ok these taxi driver don't care to be honest

[@Jeremiah-o5k]

When ppl say let dem out, let dem out n u n the police gwaan chase round n round or stop to protect u self

[@Textalia]

Good job police what ppl a defend the driver look how him have the passenger as hostage eeh kmt

[@punishthewicked]

Why these ppl no just stop...its obvious u cant escape kmft

[@hydronpowers9014]

> The taxi driver thought he was a GTA character trying to escape from the police 😂 > At least the passengers are safe and sound after this incident

[@user-uo3jm8yf2n]

Stop d car bad dog, chat to d police.

[@user-ns3sk5pk8l]

Thank God she is safe in front of the truck he end up a blogger show half of the video yesterday know we see the full thing people sorry for him say police should not have him on the ground he could have kill the lady 😮😮😮

[@KINGDOMDAUGHTER]

Pray the public know that not all taxi drivers are not in compliance to the taxi rules and registrations. Many are in compliance and many do not put other in danger, even if they are not in compliance and or have bench warrant for their arrest. Many are just making a living.

[@Jeromeparker5150]

Tell vaz that. A indrive and Uber him a concern bout

[@KINGDOMDAUGHTER]

@@Jeromeparker5150 I know, as soon as foreign entities come here and implement what they want, the government, dismissed the services that has been here all along, i.e., taxi drivers. Now the foreign business dangle money and under the table palm greasing for vaz and many to say this or that wrongly against taxi services and drivers, just to get the uber, lyft, etc.., to be established in Jamaica. However, I have been saying to many taxi drivers to just heed the rules and get themselves sorted out with the proper documentations, so these official don't have just cause to come to arrest you after those bench warrants are issued. Additionally, look how they are increasing the fees and cost just to register the car and get the documents to run car as a passenger vehicle. If they foolishly, gave the Chinese government and or the rich leverage to build the toll roads, plus they oversee its daily operation, then what leverage do the Jamaican people have other than owing them all these debts, that the government has racked up. Hence the people in spiritual BONDAGE and CAPTIVITY and can't be FREE. *UNDER THE UK MONARCH **OWED THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. ***OWED TO THE MEXICAN (not sure if they own the two airports or just one). ****OWED THE U.S.A WHO ELSE DOES THE JAMAICAN PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENT OWES DEBTS TO (for its our tax money going towards any money owed and or these people asked for Land to build their company's and Resorts). Majority of downtown is own by majority of the Chinese government and people. Many are not privy to this. All those empty buildings has a owner.

[@leciabella9461]

Yes... What is being done with the rogue taxis? And what is the difference between pursuit and chase? Especially when the lives of innocent people are involved???

[@elainecampbell9247]

Happy Wednesday 🙏 blessings. ❤❤🎉

[@rohdoug]

A dat Unoo Jamaicans love. Unrulyness.

[@jamsng]

True cause them shouldn't be driving in the robot taxis

[@Observer100-cn7gv]

That was so dangerous. The police should not have pursued that criminal knowing the women were inside the vehicle and seeing how reckless he was driving. They and the driver endangered those women's lives and the public. Furthermore, they should not have done so on busy streets. They do not know better than this? No training, they do not think or just careless? As for the criminal, wicked driver, he should be locked up for a very long time. These taxi drivers and robot taxi drivers have no behavior.

[@markfoga]

So he shouldn't be pursued but he should be locked up. How is he to be locked up?

[@Bubblez2991]

Seen this happened before in halfway tree right at the transport centre. A man literally had to jump out of the taxi but he wasn't hurt. Don't know if the police had caught the driver.

[@user-tr9es7vp6f]

OMG.After all the drama him cause him eventually end up in handcuff and the women could have hurt themselves when they jumped.

[@jamsng]

It's 2 different driver and incident

[@raelgreaves99]

Yes.

[@horecedun]

In fact there can be no expectation of privacy in public this is the reason why Banks gas stations and other entities publicly access premises can record you without your permission

[@Portia-oc6mr]

True. What about the taximan who earlier this year got into an accident and all five of his passengers were killed, and he left the scene of the accident. Why is that man still free?

[@marlonbrando1953]

They need to get rid of these robot taxis once and for all they're causing too much accidents and also these stupid road chases

[@beechboi]

Sorry for people that don’t sorry for you …Jamaicans

[@unrulynoble1823]

This happened to me a few years ago in a taxi from half-way-tree going downtown and we crash at the stop light infront TVJ and this was a red plate taxi 🙄

[@pheeb7449]

I experience something like this with a mountain View robot ..

[@kevinwood9026]

All mi deh a front hand brake mi draw up

[@sandraforsythe2079]

Jobs are hard to find. Operating a taxi costs a lot of money and some poor people don't have it. I am not condoning people running illegal taxi business, but as a human being, it would be worse for people to resort to pick pocketing.

[@debbiemartin2627]

Yuh see if im jus come of the vehicle? All im could get is a ticket 🎟!😮😢

[@lorrainebrown6270]

Soft tissue damage is giving her terrible pain. That’s worse than broken bones.

[@lornajohnson6491]

Jennifer typing uno not to take them i rather wait hours on the bus

[@mature347]

the two passengers were held hostage by the taxi driver the taxi driver should be charged with holding the two females hostage

[@georgiavassel8202]

I get that the taxi men some of them are driving with out having red plate but they are hustling it's better for them to hustle than Rob and kill people. These police need to respect people. How can you step in someone neck like that and your colleague knee in his back. That's the same behaviour that killed George Flode this is sad

[@byronpeart5210]

Back yes sir.

[@marvinblake3973]

Women will panic which is the norm but mi can tell a taxi guy seh your vehicle a go mash up if you try Dat wid mi.Mash up da transmission deh mon. For ladies who reading please remember that the vehicle doesn't stuck in Drive,it can be shift into Nuetral,Low Gear etc

[@cherylmontcrief7600]

Why is the police foot on a person's neck. Whether the person is alive or dead that is outrageous.

[@natoyalee6457]

Jesus Christ!😢 A HOSTAGE SITUATION

[@truth8649]

I respect all these comments, nevertheless had I in the police position I would refrain from chasing to save life... The car has a registration and there is also "Jamaica Eye" The treatment offered by sane minds to an insane mind is one of the same.

[@jaxinesaunders1535]

Dem fe charge d taxi man with kidnapping and attempted murder.

[@pauladonaldson896]

Would never want to be in this position🙆‍♀️SMH

[@vontaeoliver3987]

MERCY

[@camillemcintosh5914]

The same thing happened to me about 8years ago and a Thursday morning went I was going down town I take the taxi at barbarian road

[@damionwillis3072]

Am so praying hard everyday because the state the world is in right now is terrified

[@horecedun]

What the police however is not permitted to do is to stop people from video recording the incident in doing so the person who is recording should not obstruct the police