In the southwestern districts of Moscow, an incident unfolded late at night when a woman attempted to flee from a taxi after her companion sprayed pepper spray into the driver’s face. Moscow City News Agency reported the event.
The episode took place in Zyuzino, where a taxi driver driving a Skoda Octavia picked up a man and a woman as passengers. As the ride neared its end, the travelers began refusing to pay. They claimed they did not have money or bank cards and that their phone was not functioning, making it impossible to complete the fare.
When the route finished, all three passengers exited the car. The young man asserted that he was an authorized individual who had been involved in prior incidents and that a promise to pay later should be trusted. He then sprayed pepper spray into the driver’s face and fled, leaving his female companion behind.
The driver immediately placed the woman back inside the vehicle and began contacting the police. At the same time, the passenger who sprayed the pepper spray attempted to take control of the car by switching it into drive. A nearby driver managed to intervene and stop the vehicle before any further danger occurred. The frightened woman attempted to flee again, but the driver pursued and finally restrained her.
Law enforcement units arrived at the scene and detained the individuals involved to conduct a formal investigation at the police station. The incident prompted a broader discussion about safety protocols for ride-hailing services and the responsibilities of both drivers and passengers in situations where payment cannot be verified on the spot.
Earlier reporting noted a separate incident in Nizhnevartovsk in which a drunk limousine driver directed curses at a traffic officer and assaulted the officer during an encounter. The two events, though unrelated by location, underscore ongoing concerns about safety and conduct in transportation services across regions.
Authorities continue to review the Zyuzino case to determine the precise motives behind the attempted evasion of payment and the use of pepper spray, along with any accomplice roles. The investigation aims to clarify how such incidents occur and what measures can help prevent them in the future. The public is reminded to remain vigilant when using taxi or ride-hailing services, to verify driver and vehicle details, and to report suspicious behavior immediately to law enforcement. Attribution: Moscow City News Agency