Cab Driver Loses $250 to Taxi-Riding Thief, Police Say

A 47-year-old Waukesha woman, who police say stole $250 from a taxi cab driver, told authorities she thought the money was her change, according to a criminal complaint.

Michelle A. Young was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court on Wednesday with one count of theft. If convicted, she faces up to nine months in prison and $10,000 in fines.

On Aug. 10, Young and a friend took a taxi from Brookfield Square mall to Hannon’s Bar. Young sat in the front passenger seat and after paying and getting change back for the ride, she got out of the cab, the criminal complaint states.

But before she walked away, Young told the driver she forgot her lighter, then reached down to the floor where she had been sitting and took something, accoding to the complaint.

The driver noticed his wallet was missing when he needed to fill up on gas. The wallet, which had fallen out of his pocket and landed on the floor near Young, was now $250 lighter, according to the complaint. The driver contacted his boss, who called the Waukesha Police Department.

Officers located an intoxicated Young, who said she found the money on the floor of the cab and thought it was her change, although she only had $50 on her, the complaint states.

Young will make her initial appearance in court Oct. 15.