Three Adelaide taxis have been stolen under violent circumstances in the past five days, in what the Taxi Council is hopeful is just an unfortunate spate rather than a trend.
In the latest incident, a man armed with a knife stole a taxi from its driver in Parafield Gardens this morning.
Police say the man pushed the 37-year-old male driver out of the taxi before driving off in his vehicle.
The taxi was later found in a shopping centre car park in Martins Road.
On Sunday morning, a man was arrested after allegedly threatening a taxi driver with a knife and stealing his vehicle in Salisbury East.
The taxi was later found in Parafield Gardens.
A 27-year-old Renown Park man was charged with aggravated robbery and illegal use of a motor vehicle.
Police are still looking for another man who was with him.
Last Friday, a man was charged after allegedly jumping into a taxi while the driver had temporarily stepped out of it in King William Street, in Adelaide's CBD.
The 28-year-old Munno Para West man then crashed the taxi in Currie Street.
Last month, a woman was arrested after allegedly stabbing a taxi driver near Tintinara, in the state's south-east.
The 41-year-old Prospect woman was detained under the Mental Health Act and charged with assault causing serious harm.
'Vulnerable' taxi drivers a target
Taxi Council South Australia president John Trainer said drivers were concerned about the latest "particular burst of exceptionally savage crimes".
"But taxi drivers have always been very, very vulnerable."
Luckily, he said, since all taxis were fitted with CCTV and satellite tracking, offenders were usually caught quickly.
As well as stealing their vehicles, criminals also often targeted taxi drivers' wallets and phones and refused to pay fares.
The issue will be discussed at a Taxi Council's meeting tomorrow, where members hope to hear from police about the thefts.
