Man Charged with Hyannis Taxi Driver Stabbing, Robbery

Lesley Townsend, 34.

Lesley Townsend, 34.

 

Stephen Rafuse, 37.

Stephen Rafuse, 37.

BARNSTABLE – Barnstable detectives arrested a man in connection with the November 5 stabbing and robbery of a Hyannis taxi driver.

Police identified Stephen Rafuse, 37, as a possible suspect and an officer developed information that he was hiding out in the Bourne area with his girlfriend Lesley Townsend, 34.

Barnstable detectives begain searching Bourne for the couple.

Rafuse and Townsend were located yesterday and followed off Cape.

Police said the two began pulling in and out of various south shore shopping plazas.

Townsend allegedly shoplifted from a TJ Maxx in Norwell and a JC Penny in Hanover.

Police confirmed the thefts with the two department stores and, along with Plymouth police, stopped the couple in the parking lot of a Plymouth gas station.

A search of the vehicle allegedly turned up about $1,000 of stolen merchandise.

Rafuse and Townsend were arrested for receiving stolen property over $250 and taken to the Plymouth Police Department.

Both suspects were interviewed regarding the Hyannis taxi stabbing and robbery and detectives arrested Rafuse for Armed Robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and larceny over $250.

Rafuse and Townsend were taken back to the Barnstable Police Department and were held overnight.

Townsend was arraigned this morning in Barnstable District Court on four outstanding warrants and was released to appear in Plymouth District Court on the receiving stolen property charge.

Rafuse was held on $7,500 bail.

On November 5, the taxi driver was allegedly stabbed with a screwdriver-type weapon and his backpack was stolen.



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