Man bites Freeport taxi driver; arrests made for robbery

The First Squad reports the arrests of two men for a robbery that occurred in Freeport on Sunday, August 16, at 4:10 a.m.

According to detectives, defendants Darwin Barrera, 24, of Winsome Lane, Rockville Centre, and Jairon Jacinto Barrientos, 32, of West Merrick Road, Freeport, were passengers in Latino Taxi when an argument ensued at Smith Street and Guy Lombardo Avenue with the 32-year-old male driver over the fare. The two defendants attempted to exit the taxi, at which time the driver called the Freeport Police. Darwin Barrera then grabbed the victim’s cell phone and began punching the driver, causing a laceration to his head, and bit his left forearm. Jairon Jacinto Barrientos also punched the victim.

Both defendants fled. A short time later, Freeport police officers found the defendants and arrested them without incident.

The victim’s cell phone was recovered. The victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital and treated for his injuries.

Both defendants were charged with second degree robbery.