Toronto man charged with assault, robbery of taxi driver

A 26-year-old Toronto man is facing a slew of charges in connection to an attack on a city taxi driver over the weekend.

Investigators were called to the scene in the early morning hours of Sunday for a robbery in the Queen West and York streets area.

Police say a 41-year-old man was driving a taxi, when a car pulled up next to him and a man got out of the car.

The man allegedly made threats to the taxi driver, opened his door, grabbed him by the shirt and assaulted him — all before taking off with the driver’s money bag.

Officers arrested Ruxsan Arulrajah on Monday in connection to the assault and robbery.  Police further allege they found a loaded firearm while searching Arulrajah.

In addition, a search warrant of the accused’s home allegedly resulted in the seizure of weapons, drugs and a stash of nearly $50,000.

Arulrajah has been charged on more than 20 counts, including possession of a loaded prohibited firearm and possession of cocaine.

He appeared in court at Old City Hall on Tuesday morning via video link.