Tampa man refuses to pay cab fare, threatens driver

TAMPA — Police say it took two hours to get a drunk man out of his home, where he armed and barricaded himself after refusing to pay his cab fare.

Andrew Jason Hickey, 22, took a United Cab to his home at 3509 W Paul Ave., according to the Tampa Police Department. There, he refused to pay the $6 fare.

Hickey then went inside and came back out with a handgun, and threatened to shoot the driver, 46-year-old Robert Deak, if he didn't leave, police said. That's when Deak called cops.

In the meantime, Hickey spoke with police dispatchers by phone. He told them that he was intoxicated and was heavily armed with loaded handguns and rifles. Again, he threatened to shoot the cab driver or anyone who might try to enter his house.

While patrol officers shut down Paul Avenue from Himes Avenue to Clarice Street, police negotiators spoke with Hickey by phone. Two hours later, he came outside and peacefully surrendered. No one was injured.

Hickey faces an aggravated assault and petit theft charges. He was being held Sunday night at the Orient Road Jail in lieu of $2,250 bail.