New York police said on Friday that they arrested a man suspected of repeatedly robbing city taxi drivers at gunpoint.

Fear spread among New York taxi drivers in recent weeks after a serial robber targeted cabs. The crimes, which often took place around midnight when police change shifts, involved a man pulling a gun on the drivers, taking money, and fleeing on foot.

The suspect, apprehended early Friday morning, was charged with eight counts of robbery and eight counts of criminal possession of a weapon.

The latest incident was on Tuesday night when a large muscular man pulled a gun on a driver in midtown Manhattan, took money and fled on foot.

Spokesmen for the police and taxi drivers have said they cannot remember the last time one suspect has repeatedly targeted cabbies and said drivers may have let their guard down after years of declining crime rates.

The taxi federation and the crime-fighting group Guardian Angels have been raising awareness and advising drivers on prevention techniques.

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