Two men were arrested overnight for allegedly beating and robbing a taxi driver in Encinitas over a $40 cell phone, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
At around 1 a.m., a deputy approached a 52-year-old taxi driver who was sitting in the grass in front of a Jack in the Box restaurant in the 1400 block of Encinitas Boulevard.
The man told the deputy he had been allegedly beaten and robbed by two men after picking them up in Del Mar. Officials said the loss was a cell phone, valued at $40.
The suspects were located and taken into custody in a nearby parking lot.
Deputies identified the men as brothers Joseph Vanderbrink, 33, and Joshua Vanderbrink, 38. Officials say one of the men was tased after becoming combative with deputies.
The taxi driver was treated by paramedic at the scene for minor injuries.
The brothers were charged with robbery and battery and booked into jail. No further information was immediately released.
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The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this case should call the Sheriff’s Department at (858) 565-5200.
