A Chicago cab driver who used an Uber platform to pick up fares is facing assault and battery charges after he kicked two men out of his vehicle last week on the North Side.
Madhi A. Hared, 32, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and battery, both misdemeanors, according to Chicago Police.
About 8 p.m. on April 1, Hared was driving in the 5100 block of North Marine Drive when he got into argument with his two passengers, men ages 26 and 23, police said. The men had used the ride-sharing app.
The argument turned physical, and Hared refused to drive the men to their destination and drove away, police said.
Police would not confirm reports that the men were gay, and were kicked out of the cab for kissing.
Hared, who is a licensed cab driver for Blue Ribbon Taxi, was using the uberTAXi platform. A representative for the taxi company did not immediately return a call for comment Thursday afternoon.
“No rider should ever have to go through an experience like this,” Uber spokeswoman Brooke Anderson said. “Not only is this Chicago taxi driver’s behavior unacceptable, it’s in clear violation of Illinois’ non-discrimination law, and Uber’s zero-tolerance discrimination policy as outlined in our Code of Conduct. The driver was immediately removed from our platform,” Anderson said.
Hared, of the 6500 block of North Sacramento, is next scheduled to appear in court May 8. CIty records show he has been a licensed cab driver since 2007.
