A Mount Vernon man is facing multiple felony charges after robbing a taxi driver and stealing his vehicle in Spring Valley before being swiftly apprehended by law enforcement.

According to the Spring Valley Police Department, the incident occurred on June 6 at approximately 6:46 a.m. near Municipal Plaza. The victim, a taxi driver, reported that a passenger seated in the rear of his vehicle pressed what appeared to be a firearm against his lower back while he was driving.

Fearing for his safety, the driver immediately stopped the vehicle and exited. The suspect then climbed into the driver’s seat and fled in the victim’s vehicle.

While officers were taking the report at police headquarters, they learned that a witness to the incident was actively following the stolen vehicle within the Town of Ramapo. Ramapo Police officers quickly located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop, taking the suspect into custody without incident.

An investigation by Spring Valley Police detectives determined that the suspect had used a solid blunt object that appeared consistent with the tip of a firearm, leading the victim to believe he was being threatened with a gun.

The suspect was identified as 41-year-old Brian-Allen Lamont Crow of Mount Vernon.

Crow was charged with First-Degree Robbery, Second-Degree Robbery, Third-Degree Grand Larceny, and Fourth-Degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon.

He was arraigned before Judge Mellion in Spring Valley Justice Court, where bail was set at $150,000 cash, $200,000 bond, or a $300,000 partially secured bond. Crow was subsequently transported to the Rockland County Jail.

The Spring Valley Police Department thanked the Ramapo Police Department and the Rockland County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation for their assistance in the investigation.

Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the Spring Valley Police Department at 845-356-7400 or email [email protected].