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Red Light — Stop; Green Light — Stop

“It was a red light,” Berks County, Pa., sheriff’s deputy Terry Ely said. “It then cycled through to green. The car did not move, and it went back to red again. At that point, I just wanted to make sure everything was OK in the car.” Ely activated his car’s lights and walked up to the taxi cab to investigate. “I stood in the back to try and hear the conversation ahead of time so knew what I was getting myself into,” Ely said. “At that point, I heard the driver say, ‘Just please don’t shoot me’.” At that point, Ely drew his weapon and ordered the passenger out of the vehicle. According to the cab’s video recording, Victor Martinez-Herrer, 18, had just robbed the driver, Ralph Valletta, at gunpoint, taking the $11 he had in his pocket. The cabbie “ran over to me and gave me a hug” to say thanks, Ely said. He suggested the driver go home and relax. “His response was, ‘I can’t go home. I have bills to pay and I have calls to take.” (MS/WFMZ Allentown) ...Martinez-Herrer should be forced to ride in his cab and see what it takes to actually earn $11.
Original Publication Date: 20 March 2016
This story is in True’s book collections, in Volume 22.

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