Police announced on Friday night the arrest of three men charged with the murder of an Orlando taxi cab driver who was found dead in his car near Lake Highland Drive early on Friday morning. The three have also been charged with armed robbery of a couple.
Samuel Jackson, 19; Darrell Davis, 22; and Harley A. McMillan, 22, all from Sanford, are in the Orange County Jail, charged with first degree murder of Matthew George Manolas, 35, the taxi cab driver.
Police say, Jackson, McMillan and Davis are also suspects in an armed robbery of a couple that occurred in the 900 block of north Thornton Avenue and E. Marks Street around 1:16 a.m. on Friday morning.
The victims of the armed robbery told police they were sitting in the Big Tree Park when they were approached by two black males who demanded money. The suspects pointed two silver handguns at each of the victims. One of the victims handed over his wallet and cell phone. The suspects fled the scene and the victims called 911.
Police later initiated a traffic stop in the 700 block of Terrence Boulevard, about two blocks from the location of the armed robbery.
The victims were able to identify the two suspects, who police say, were sitting in the rear, when the vehicle was stopped. Police found in the compartment of the vehicle, two silver handguns, likely used in the armed robbery.
Manolas, the cabbie, was found shot to death in his taxi cab around 3:15 a.m. in the 500 block of Lake Highland Drive, off north Orange Avenue, police say.
Police would not say what evidence was found to connect Jackson, Davis and McMillan, to Manolas’ murder, as the investigation is ongoing.
Manolas’ murder is the second Mears Transportation cab driver to be murdered in 9 days.
On January 12, Nelvil Joseph, 43, of Orlando, was found shot to death in the Governor Manor Parking lot on L B McLeod Road.
The Florida Civil Rights Association announced on Friday it will push for anti-violence Legislation to protect Florida Taxi Drivers. It will like to see penalties increased for assaulting cab drivers, requiring each taxi cab to post a warning sign stating:
“Robbery of a taxi driver with a firearm is a felony, punishable by up to life in prison. Minimum mandatory sentences are as follows: 10 years if a firearm is used in the robbery, 20 years for discharge of the firearm, and 30 years if the taxi driver is harmed.”
The Association also wants penalties increased for misdemeanor assaults on cab drivers.
