Deputies Searching for Knife-Wielding Taxi Robber

Authorities said they are searching for a transgendered woman who robbed and tried to stab a cab driver in Oakland Park.

Driver Bonanfant Aurelien picked up the woman at the Oakland Park Flea Market on the morning of Dec. 21 when she suddenly pulled out a knife and demanded cash, the Broward Sheriff's Office said Tuesday.

"I need money. If you don’t give me money, I’m going to start cutting things," the suspect said, according to the BSO.

The driver cam on the cab captured video of part of the incident. Once the driver saw the knife he told the suspect: "Are you crazy lady?" and the suspect responded: "Yep I sure am!"

Aurelien ran out of the taxi just as the suspect, who is between 25 and 35 years old, tried to stab him. The suspect then started stabbing the cab's seats, surveillance camera and credit card machine, the BSO said.

"The suspect's clear intention was to get money out of this crime, they were hoping for the cab driver's fares," BSO spokeswoman Gina Carter said.

The victim followed the suspect, watching as the woman got into a tan Infiniti four-door, according to the incident report. The suspect then walked out of the car and picked up a rock from the street and threw it at the front of the victim's vehicle.

"This suspect is considered dangerous, they obviously were trying to hurt this cab driver, they're not afraid to use a weapon in the course of the robberies," Carter said.

The suspect fled the scene with Aurelien's backpack, which had personal items and $40 in cash, according to the BSO.

A reward of up to $3,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.

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