Drunk man tries to make getaway in cab while sitting on driver, police say

A Hamilton man is facing several charges after trying to steal a cab, while drunk, by sitting on top of the driver who was still inside, police say.

According to a police news release, cops were first called about a disturbance at 592 Upper James Street just before 1 a.m. on Friday.

When they got there, witnesses identified an "assaultive male" leaving in a cab. Police then pulled the cab over a short distance away. That's when things went sideways.

"When police started to approach the cab, the suspect jumped from the rear seat into the front passenger seat, making verbal threats towards the officers," the news release reads.

"The suspect then jumped and sat on top of the cabby while attempting to steal the car. The cabby struggled to free himself from underneath the suspect, while pulling the keys out of the ignition."

Police say they were able to "quickly" get control of the man and arrest him.

The cab driver wasn't injured, but a man who had been inside the same bar as the man ended up with minor injuries in an altercation, police say.

A 33-year-old Hamilton man of no fixed address was charges with assault, mischief under $5,000, vehicle theft, and failing to comply with his probation.