Fake taxi incident on Saint-Laurent leaves couple shaken; industry warns of regulatory gaps
A couple was attacked after boarding an unmarked vehicle outside the Pool Room on August 23. Police have no suspect and no investigation is open.
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A Montreal couple's night out turned violent on August 23 when they boarded what they believed was a legitimate taxi outside the Pool Room on Saint-Laurent Boulevard and quickly realized they had made a dangerous mistake.
Randi O. and her boyfriend, Joel, said the vehicle had an external taxi sign, so they got in. But once seated, they noticed the driver had no proper identification. When they questioned a $10 charge and asked to be let out, the driver locked the doors. Randi said he punched Joel and grabbed his phone, then sped up and slowed down repeatedly while attacking him. She escaped near Ontario Street and Joel moments later near Sherbrooke Street as the vehicle sped away. Joel's guitar was left behind during the incident and later recovered by police.
The SPVM said it cannot confirm whether the vehicle was an illegal taxi. No 911 call was made at the time, so officers could not intervene. Police have no surveillance footage, no driver description and no other evidence. No investigation is currently open, though a note about the incident has been added to the police file.
The incident has sparked calls from the taxi industry for stronger enforcement. George Boussios, president of Champlain Taxi, said regulatory gaps in Quebec make it increasingly difficult for passengers to distinguish legitimate taxis from illegal operators. He warned the issue extends to fake Uber vehicles as well. "All we're asking the government is to put inspectors on the road to make sure the drivers are registered," Boussios said. He cautioned that without action, "something tragic" could happen. The SAAQ, which oversees transit regulations, advised passengers to check for visible roof signs, meters and posted fare grids before entering a taxi.
Have charges been laid or a suspect identified in the August 23 incident?
How many complaints or reports of illegal taxi incidents has the SPVM received in 2026 compared to prior years?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
What happened to the couple on August 23?
A Montreal couple boarding what they thought was a taxi outside the Pool Room on Saint-Laurent Boulevard discovered the driver lacked proper identification. When they questioned a $10 charge and asked to leave, the driver locked the doors, punched the boyfriend, grabbed his phone, and repeatedly sped up and slowed down while attacking him. The couple escaped separately near Ontario and Sherbrooke Streets.
Why is there no police investigation?
No 911 call was made during the incident, which prevented officers from intervening. Police have no surveillance footage, no driver description, and no other evidence to pursue an investigation, though a note about the incident has been added to the police file.
What is the taxi industry asking the government to do?
George Boussios, president of Champlain Taxi, is calling for stronger enforcement and road inspectors to verify that drivers are registered. He warned that regulatory gaps in Quebec make it difficult for passengers to distinguish legitimate taxis from illegal operators.
