¡Gringo Loco! Florida Man Steals Taxi From Barranquilla Airport, Runs Over 2 Colombians, Nearly Lynched By Angry Mob

Colombia’s attorney general’s office has announced charges against John Joseph Gianino, who is accused of stealing a taxi from Barranquilla’s international airport (BAQ) while the driver was waiting on a fare, and during his attempted escape, crashed into several vehicles, running over a woman and child before crashing into a ditch. Shots were fired by police at the suspect as he fled the airport in the taxi. Once detained by the ditch, other taxi drivers and witnesses attempted to lynch the man, with police intervening to save his life. Other witnesses attended to the two injured victims.

Video courtesy of El Heraldo

Since arrest, Gianino has been undergoing psychological evaluation at the Clinica La Victoria hospital, and is being held at the local Immediate Reaction Unit (a local jail) in the Barranquilla suburb of Soledad, near the airport. The man is charged with theft, personal injury to others, and damage to property. According to Migration Colombia, Gianino is in Colombia illegally.

Gianino’s last known address is Palm Beach, Florida, where he was arrested and charged with obstruction by disguised person, resisting an officer and stalking / cyberstalking. Other sources indicate a John Gianino of the same age has resided in Detroit, Michigan.

Authorities indicate the man arrived at Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport on a flight from Bogotá. One theory that has not been verified is that Gianino was attempting to get himself deported.