Three men charged over Newcastle taxi robberies

Three men have been charged by Northumbria Police over a spate of alleged armed robberies on taxi drivers in the Newcastle and Gateshead area.

Between october 19th and November 6th Four taxi drivers were allegedly attacked and robbed by three men wielding both knives and a gun. The incidents took place in Gateshead,  Newcastle and Byker.

The robberies took place after the attackers hired the taxis, taking them to a pre-determined destination and then allegedly robbing the drivers. The cabbys were shocked but unharmed by the incidents.

Northumbria Police have charged Brandon Makumbe, 20 from Gateshead with one count of robbery and threateming a person with a bladed instrument. 

They have also charged Silindokuhle Mabaso, 18 from Byker with three robberies, threatening a person with a bladed instrumemt and two counts of possessing an imitation firearm.

A third man Al-Hazzar Aremu, 18 from Kenton, was charged with four robberies, three counts of possessing an imitation firearm and threatening a person with a bladed instrument.

The three men will appear before Bedlington Magistrates Court