Cabbie accused of touching, hate crime
A Kingston-based cab driver is facing multiple charges after allegedly directing anti-Semitic comments at a female college student and inappropriately touching or attempting to touch two others in the village of New Paltz, police said Wednesday.
Ayman Aboueida, 47, of Kingston, was arrested by New Paltz police about 5:10 p.m. Tuesday and charged with the misdemeanors of harassment as a hate crime, forcible touching and attempted forcible touching, according to a press release.
Police began investigating Aboueida on May 1 after three people reported being harassed and touched in a sexual manner by the same cab driver, Lt. Rob Lucchesi said Wednesday.
At 1 a.m. Feb. 4, Aboueida allegedly threatened a female student in his taxi with threats that “were anti-Semitic in nature,” Lucchesi said. The lieutenant declined to be more specific, saying to do so might impede prosecution. Also, according to police: • At 1:30 a.m. March 4, Aboueida is alleged to have attempted to forcibly touch a female student in his taxi.
• At 1:30 a.m. April 30, Aboueida is alleged to have forcibly touched another female student in the vehicle.
The police press release about the arrest referred to Aboueida working for “Adam’s Taxi.” Lucchesi said he did not know if it’s is an official business, if Aboueida’s car is marked as a taxi or if Aboueida has a livery license.
There is no phone listing for Adam’s Taxi in Kingston.
Aboueida was arraigned in New Paltz Court and sent to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.
New Paltz police are asking any other possible victims to contact the department’s Detective Division at (845) 255-1357.