Taxi driver loses more than just wallet during robbery
Gander man was saving money to accompany wife to St. John’s for surgery
Guy Budden sits alone in his living room, revisiting the events that have cheated him of a trip with his family to St. John’s.
His plans were dashed when he was robbed while working early Sunday morning, losing his driver’s licence and approximately $700.
He had been planning the trip to the city for months and had been working overtime at Busy Bee Cabs for a little extra pocket money.
Budden was supposed to accompany his wife, Gertie, to the city for her scheduled back surgery. Budden hasn’t visited his daughter, Pamela, in awhile and he had also planned to treat her to a movie.
Days after the robbery, he continues to visualize the incident and what he could have done differently.
“My mind is still there,” he said.
Budden, who has worked as a cab driver in Gander for about 20 years, received a call to Park Place at 1 a.m. Sunday.
Upon arriving at the pickup address, his red flags went up.
“They were (dressed) all black from head to toe. They had their hoodies up. If I had to identify them, I probably couldn’t,” Budden said.
The passengers said that they wanted to be dropped off at Legends, which set off even more alarms.
“It’s not even a five-minute walk. I thought it was a bit strange,” he said.
Following their directions, Budden drove to the bar, but was forced to drive around in circles.
When the cab finally stopped and Budden asked for payment, the robbers spotted his wallet, which was located in a pouch on the driver’s door.
Budden said it would normally be concealed.
However, given that it was an extremely busy night, he had forgotten to hide it.
The robbers grabbed his wallet, which contained Budden’s extra trip money and fare from the evening, and bolted into the night.
“I could hear them laughing and giggling.”
Budden turned his cab around, trying to follow them, but they were gone.
He is upset that he wasn’t able to go to the city to be with his family, and said he hopes others take heed.
“The wallet won’t be in the door or so easily accessible next time,” he said.
Furthermore, Budden said that in the future he won’t drive clients if he feels uncomfortable or threatened.
RCMP Cpl. Pam Blackwood said the police investigation is ongoing. She said the RCMP plans to interview a few “persons of interest.”