A taxi driver accused of stealing a police car and going on a violent crime spree was in court Monday for the first time since he was taken into custody to face a laundry list of charges including trying to kill a police officer.
Frantzy Armand, 29, was arraigned on charges including attempted premeditated murder on a law enforcement officer, attempted felony murder with a firearm, armed carjacking and criminal mischief.
Armand pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors said Armand, a cab driver, got into a shootout with police in April. It was a terrifying morning for many in the North Miami and Miami Beach areas. Detectives said, Armand got into a fight with another cab driver and then started smashing windshields at the cab company on Northwest 79th street.
Armand then took off in his cab but was pulled over by an officer near 125th Street, police said. He got out of his cab and walked toward the officer, brandishing an assault rifle and that's when the officer fired, striking Armand, police said.
It took Armand about two weeks to appear at his bond hearing. He was hospitalized after the shootout with a gunshot wound and was in a wheelchair.
Armand's trial is scheduled to start on August 17th. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.
