Taxi Driver Fatally Injured During Fight With Robbery Suspect In Hollywood

HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — A taxi driver was fatally injured in a fight today at a gas station in Hollywood by a man, who fled on foot.

Police were dispatched to the scene at 3:13 a.m. in response to an assault with a deadly weapon call.

"When they arrived, the cab driver was down on the ground near the taxi cab in the parking lot., said LAPD Lieutenant John Radtke. "He  had suffered some sort of head injury."

The driver died at a hospital. He was identified as Asifawosen "Aspha" Alemseged, 47.

According to Yellow Cab of Los Angeles, Alemseged had no relatives living in the U.S. His family is from Ethiopia.

"The suspect was likely a fare that he head picked up," said Radtke. "We're classifying this as a robbery. The suspect was after the victim's money and even went into his pockets."

Radtke said the suspect was last seen running eastbound on Franklin Avenue, from the 76 gas station at the northwest corner of  Franklin Avenue and North Beachwood Drive.

Police dogs were brought in to track down  the suspect's scent.

The taxi was equipped with a security video camera, which may provide police with information.

Police are also examining video from the gas station's security camera.

The suspect was described as man, 5 feet 9 inches tall, of middle eastern descent, wearing a long-sleeved blue shirt.