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Public Safety Notice: Taxi Driver Convicted of Assault on Female Reportedly Offering Rides

Students urged to be observant and to use Duke or licensed transportation services for travel

Crime Alert

A local taxi driver who was arrested and convicted of assault on a female involving a Duke student was arrested for trespassing on Duke property recently. He was transporting passengers.


Ahmad Hezam  was trespassed from Duke after he was arrested in August 2015 following an incident where he picked up the victim and several others from Shooters II. After driving to Duke’s campus and dropping off the other passengers, the victim reported that the taxi driver touched her inappropriately. The student was able to exit the vehicle and run away.

Ahmad Hezam was reportedly seen last weekend trying to pick up passengers near Shooters II on W. Morgan St. in downtown Durham. His plea agreement stipulates that he is not allowed to operate a taxi cab until March 2017.

Police indicated that Hezam is operating independently and is not connected with a taxi service. His plea agreement stipulates that he is not allowed to operate a taxi cab until March 2017. Anyone who observes this behavior should avoid the individual and call 911 to report it.

Students are urged to be observant and use Duke or licensed transportation services for travel. The following are general safety tips:

  • If you use a taxi for transportation, make sure that the taxi is licensed. Taxi operators are required to display their license in their vehicles. The license includes their name and photograph.
  • When traveling to and from campus late night, try to travel in groups.
  • If you feels unsafe or have any concerns about the safety of a situation, contact police.

Duke community members are encouraged to download Duke's LiveSafe mobile safety app for real-time, two-way communication with Duke Police. LiveSafe is available for free download through Apple and Android app stores.