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Cabbie Accused Of Sexually Abusing Sleeping Female Passenger

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Lower East Side woman was horrified Wednesday, by what she said happened to her daughter in a taxi on her way home from work.

As CBS2's Dave Carlin reported, the distraught mother said she was always worried about her daughter's job at a sightseeing business which included late night and overnight shifts -- so she'd advise her to take a taxi home.

On Sunday, before dawn her daughter got in an apple green borough taxi on Broadway in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

She told police that during the four-mile ride home to the Lower East Side, she was tired from work and fell asleep only to be jolted awake with a shock.

She alleged that the cabbie was in the back with her, sexually touching her.

The incident allegedly took place right near her home. She jumped out, and the driver took off.

Right away she told her mother.

"She was crying because she can't believe. She all the time takes taxis," she said, "He told her, 'Don't pay, you don't pay me, you don't have to pay, you don't have to pay.'"

When the alleged victim went to the precinct stationhouse to report the crime, she had a photo of the taxi medallion, and a good description of the driver.

"Yes, she takes a picture, and she, you know, she made everything, and called the police right away. She was fine," her mother said.

Acting on that information police arrested Michael Mina, 29, and charged him with felony sexual abuse.

He has no known prior arrests.

No one answered the door at Mina's home in Ridgewood, Queens.

The alleged victim's mother said she is proud of he daughter for helping police, and wants the story told as a reminder to anyone stuck with a stranger, including a cabbie, to stay alert.

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