KNOXVILLE (WATE) - A taxi cab driver was robbed at gunpoint early Friday morning in South Knoxville.
Larry Norris, who drives for Paradise Taxi, says he was in the 500 block of Hialeah Drive around 2:00 a.m. when the suspect jumped into the back seat.
Police say the suspect put a gun to Norris' head, demanded money and then fled.
Norris called 911 and police dogs were brought in to help search the area. They led officers to a nearby home, where a juvenile was detained for questioning.
Norris wasn't injured.
Police say this week on Hialeah Drive, two taxi drivers have been robbed.
Paradise Taxi office manager Becky Bratton says while armed robberies aren't the norm, they've been occurring more often this year with three robberies so far.
Norris has been a victim twice this year. In the first robbery, "He said he wanted to go to Asheville Highway, and then he pulled a gun on me and made me take him to Jefferson City."
After any crime, Bratton emphasizes safety regulations and tries to reassure the drivers. "We assure drivers that this isn't the norm, That it happens. We have codes that you give us over the radio if you are in trouble."
Bratton says drivers must radio in each pickup and their destination. They're not allowed to go into high risk areas at night or go down a street where they can be blocked in.
She also suggests carrying mace or pepper spray.
But above all, Bratton says she hopes making the crime known prevents it in the future. "It's publicized so you know yes, you do this you will get caught and you are going to be punished."
Larry Norris called 911 and police dogs were brought in to help search the area.
