Jonathan Tejada arrested for attempted murder of taxi driver in Colonie

Jonathan A. Tejada, 32, of Scotia, New York, has been arrested following a violent attack on an Electric City Taxi driver in Colonie. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning, August 19, at a Motel 6 on Curry Road.

Police allege that Tejada requested a ride and, once inside the vehicle, robbed and attacked the driver with a folding knife. Colonie Police Chief James Gerace described the attack as “gruesome, brutal and bloody,” noting that the driver survived significant cuts and stab wounds to his face, neck, and arms.

After the struggle, the driver managed to escape and seek help from hotel staff. Tejada allegedly stole the taxi and fled the scene, eventually crashing the vehicle on I-890 before attempting to escape on foot. Following a large-scale search involving multiple agencies, Tejada was apprehended in Schenectady with assistance from the Schenectady Police Department.

The driver was treated at Albany Medical Center for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Tejada faces multiple felony charges, including second-degree attempted murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree assault, and criminal possession of a weapon.