Police probe Easter cabby attack as hate crime

Police say an attack on a taxi cab driver along Jerome Avenue is being considered a hate crime. 
The passenger asked to be dropped off before he attacked his driver.
The incident occurred on Easter Sunday around 5 a.m. two blocks from Yankee Stadium.
News 12 is told the attacker got into a yellow taxi cab and requested to be dropped off at the intersection of Jerome Avenue and 165th Street.
When the cab came to a stop, the man changed his mind and requested another ride. Police say the cab driver declined further service, and that is when passenger attacked him.
The 24-year-old taxi driver was allegedly punched in the arm and had his turban stolen from his head while the suspect screamed ethnic slurs.
The suspect is believed to be between the ages of 20 and 30, about 5 foot 9 and 160 pounds. 
Police say it appears that the attacker may have been intoxicated at the time of the incident.