What would happen if someone ditched a cab?

Question

A friend of mine thinks its a clever idea to skip on paying a taxi fare, and I'm trying to talk him out of it by telling him the possible consequences, but I'm not even aware of what they could be. Can someone shed some light on my situation? It's a 200 mile drive, and it would most likely be a few hundred dollars. What would happened if he ran out of the cab at his destination without paying?

Answer 1

That would legally be considered theft, which is a misdemeanor in most states.  The police could arrest him for it.

Answer 2

I'm guessing the cab driver would get on his radio and have his dispatcher send the police over to the destination. The cabbie would be able to give a good, accurate description of the passenger. The police would take it from there.

Ditching a cab is theft, plain and simple. It's a crime and the person who does it would and should face criminal prosecution.

Answer 3

On a fare that big, most cabbies are going to insist on pre-payment, on a fixed fare. The meter is only valid in most jurisdictions while the cab is in its license city.

Cabbies have seen guys like your friend, before.