CBS2 Exclusive Video: Cab Driver Shot Trying To Chase Suspected Thief In The Bronx

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A cab driver ended up in the hospital after chasing down a man police say had just robbed his passenger in the Bronx.

Exclusive surveillance video obtained by CBS2 shows a man and woman getting into a white or silver livery cab outside Garage Bar on Tillotson Avenue just before 4 a.m.

As the male passenger gets in, a hooded man runs up and grabs the chain off the man's neck before running away toward an accomplice, police said.

The cab driver, 52-year-old Michael Philbert, then backs up and follows the alleged thief down De Lavall Avenue, where just a few doors down police said the accomplice fired two shots at the car, hitting Philbert in his abdomen and buttocks, CBS2's Ali Bauman reported.

"The cab driver and that male stayed in the cab and chased him at one point, another male came up and fired into the cab striking him," NYPD Chief of Detectives, Robert Boyce said.

The commotion woke up one nearby resident's daughter.

"She said she heard this white Jeep come zipping down the block, and then stop, and then she heard 2 shots," resident Roselle Totans said.

Police say the Philbert drove himself to Jacobi Medical Center and is expected to recover.

Both the gunman and the thief got away.

"I guess he was trying to be brave, but it's still risky. He should know better, especially with how things are nowadays," Christine Gonzalez said.

"If someone has the audacity to rob someone strong arm, chances are they have something, so playing the hero wasn't the smart idea," Adrian Williams added.

It turns out Philbert is not licensed to pick up fare.s

"He could have avoided all of this by not working illegally," Fernando Mateo said, "We always tell our drivers; if you're being robbed, assaulted, mugged, just run away. Because what happens is, you could lose your life."

On Monday night, the daring driver was recovering in the hospital after surgery. Police were still looking for a suspect.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission said Philbert received a summons in 2013 for operating a taxi without a proper license.