Christopher Ackermann of East Meadow charged with stealing taxi from driver, police say

An East Meadow man is in custody after Nassau County police said he stole a taxi from its driver.

Police said a 52-year-old driver for All Island Taxi was called to a shopping center at 1538 Newbridge Rd. in North Bellmore at about 12:46 a.m. Saturday. Then, police said, Christopher Ackermann, 28, of Chestnut Avenue, got in and directed the driver to Bernard Street and Powers Avenue in East Meadow.

At that location, Ackermann told the driver he had a gun and wanted money, police said. When the driver got out of the car and ran, police said, Ackermann got into the driver’s seat and drove off in the taxi.

A short time later, First Squad detectives and First Precinct officers tracked down Ackermann and placed him under arrest at his home at about 5:25 a.m. The taxi was not found.

Ackermann is charged with first-degree robbery and fourth-degree grand larceny. He is scheduled to be arraigned Saturday at First District Court in Hempstead.