Two Wyandanch men have been indicted on kidnapping and robbery charges after prosecutors said they terrorized a taxi driver during a ride from Queens to Suffolk County earlier this year.
According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, James Davender, 20, and Antoine Sims, 20, allegedly hired a taxi on April 22, 2026, to take them from Far Rockaway to Wyandanch. During the trip, Davender allegedly began yelling at the driver, repeatedly grabbed the steering wheel, and caused the vehicle to swerve. Prosecutors said the pair also allegedly shifted the vehicle into park multiple times while it was moving.
Authorities said Davender then allegedly threatened to stab the driver with a folding knife unless he handed over his wallet. When the driver refused, Sims allegedly reached into the victim’s front pocket and stole about $60 in cash before the two men fled on foot.
“These two defendants allegedly terrorized a hardworking taxi driver who was just trying to do his job,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said in a statement.
Davender was arraigned May 13 before Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro on charges of second-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery, and second-degree robbery. He was ordered held on $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, or a $500,000 partially secured bond. He is due back in court June 17.
Sims was arraigned May 29 before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz on the same charges. He was ordered held on $50,000 cash, $150,000 bond, or a $350,000 partially secured bond. He is due back in court June 10.
Both defendants face up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top charge of second-degree kidnapping, prosecutors said.
The investigation was conducted by Suffolk County Police Detective Lucas McDonald of the First Squad. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Marissa Edelstein and Kieran R. Rogers of the Major Crime Bureau.
Davender and Sims have pleaded not guilty. Criminal charges are accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
