A dispute over taxi fare ended with a safari driver allegedly pointing a pistol at an uncooperative passenger Tuesday, according to court records.
Safari truck driver Claude Bellevue told police a St. Thomas man refused to pay double fare after riding from Charlotte Amalie to Red Hook and most of the way back. The victim disputed the driver’s assessment, saying he’d gotten on near the Tutu Park Mall, according to court records.
The two men argued. The victim cursed at the driver and threatened to stab him while digging in a backpack, Bellevue told police. The victim said he was unfairly charged and that the driver pointed a pistol at him when he refused to get off the truck.
All but one of the seven other taxi passengers declined to tell police what happened. The one who did speak up had been sitting on the rear bench near the victim. He said the two men argued when the driver pulled over near Turpentine Road and demanded the victim pay or get off, according to court records.
Bellevue was not holding a firearm when police arrived, but acknowledged he had one with him and a valid license. Police took away the weapon, a black Glock 45, as well as Bellevue’s license. He was charged with third-degree assault, brandishing a weapon, and disturbing the peace, according to court records.
The victim, who avoided destruction of property charges by completing anger management courses in 2023, was not charged for allegedly threatening Bellevue, according to court records. The driver did not appear to have a previous criminal record.
