St. MIchael Man Faces Charges of Robbing Cab Driver

A 23-year-old St. Michael man has been arrested and recenlty made his first court appearance on charges of simple robbery and simple assault after he allegedly "hit" and took money from a cab driver early Sunday, Sept. 11.

Paul Stephen Kilian, 23, St. Michael, was arraigned on three charges on Tuesday, Sept. 13, and will make his next court appearance on Tuesday, Sept. 27 in Wright County District Court.

According to a report filed by the Wright County Sheriff's Department:

A report of a robbery was made by a cab driver at 70th Street and Large Avenue in Otsego around 4:33 a.m.

Upon arrving, two Wright County Deupties made contact witht he cab driver, Sarur Hassan, who said that he had been hit over the head and some money was taken out of the cab.

Hassan said he'd picked up a white male on Lake Street in Minneapolis and drove him out to a home in the 11000 block of 72nd Street in Otsego. He said the cost of the ride was $93, and the man, whom Hassan dsecribed as a male, 22 to 30 years old, white with blonde hair, hit him and grabbed his cash, then ran.

There were ripped bills in the back of the Rainbow Cab vehicle from a struggle for the money, one of the deputies noted.

Hassan said he was unsure of how much was taken, but that there was a $20 on top of the pile that was gone and at leas $200 missing.

Deputy Robb Mossman and canine Buck arrived on scene to track the suspect's path. Buck followed a trail ending at a nearby home, and circled a vehicle parked in the driveway. Inside the car, a white male matching the cab driver's description was asleep.

The report continues that the man was approached by police and was identified as Paul Stephen Kilian, 23, St. Michael. Kilian told officers he was in Minneapolis, but had taken a cab ride to the bars, not home. He said he did not recall arguing with a cab driver, but did remember running from a cab because he was "mad at the driver."

Deputies then spoke with Tegan Lenneman, who stated he, Kilian and a "couple other guys" had gone to some Minneapolis bars the night of Sept. 10. Lenneman told the officers the group had left Kilian downtown because "he did not want to go home." He stated the only way he knew Kilian could have gotten home was by cab.

Simple robbery carries a maximum sentence of 10 years and/or $20,000 fine, according to state law.