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Chicago Tribune

Chicago Blackhawks star winger Patrick Kane was arrested early Sunday morning in his hometown of Buffalo, N.Y., and faces robbery and other charges after allegedly assaulting a cab driver and failing to pay the fare, according to police.

Kane, 20, and a relative, James M. Kane, 21, believed to be his cousin, are alleged to have punched the cab driver and taken back money they had given him after the driver told them he didn't have 20 cents in coins to give them change, according to Buffalo police spokesman Michael DeGeorge.

The police said the fare was $13.80 and the two Kanes had paid the driver $15. The cab driver told police he was punched in the face, grabbed by his throat and had his glasses broken in the altercation.

Police said Kane and his relative were arrested about 5 a.m. after leaving Chippewa Street, an area in Buffalo known for its nightlife. DeGeorge said the Kanes were picked up by a male cab driver while downtown around 4 a.m. He said the taxi drove them to Eastwood Place, a residential street a few miles away.

"Upon arriving there, there was some type of a dispute and an altercation," DeGeorge said. "The cab driver was struck about the head and face and suffered some cuts."

DeGeorge said they were charged with second-degree robbery, a Class C felony, and fourth-degree criminal mischief and theft of services, both Class A misdemeanors, and were taken to the Erie County Holding Center.

WIVB-TV in Buffalo reported that an attorney for the Kanes entered a not guilty plea for both about 9 a.m. in Buffalo City Court. DeGeorge could not confirm that. He also did not know whether the Kanes were still in police custody or had been released.

 Tags  Chicago Blackhawks Pat Kane

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