FELLSMERE — A Fellsmere man is in jail after authorities say he used bullets instead of cash to pay his $35 cab fare.
Fellsmere Police arrested Robert Etris, 49, Wednesday after the taxi driver said Etris fired a gun at him at least three times rather than pay for the ride.
Etris is in jail in lieu of $551,000 bail and faces numerous charges including felony robbery armed with deadly weapon, felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, misdemeanor possession or use of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or chemicals, and misdemeanor improper exhibit of firearm or weapon.
The driver picked Etris up at Capt. Hiram’s and dropped him off at his home on 103rd Street in Fellsmere, which generated a cab fare of $35.
Etris told the driver he’d have to go inside the home to get the money to pay him, the driver told authorities. When Etris returned, he had a $10 bill and a $50 bill, along with a silver handgun.
Etris then gave the driver the $10 bill and fired two rounds over the hood of the vehicle, according to the arrest affidavit. The driver then pulled away and heard another three shots fired.
Police who responded to the scene heard shouting from inside the home and found Etris standing over his roommate. They rang the doorbell, which Etris answered.
They grabbed Etris and immediately cuffed him to secure him. They found the gun sitting on the sofa not three feet away from the roommate.
Etris was arrested after the taxi driver identified him as the fare who did not pay and had fired a gun.
