Local NHL star arrested

Early Sunday morning South Buffalo native Patrick Kane was arrested over an alleged dispute with a cab driver.  The drama unfolded when Patrick Kane and his cousin James hailed J.R.'s cab on Chippewa Street at about 4:00am Sunday morning.

In the cab driver's own words, Patrick Kane and his cousin "went berserk" once their cab ride came to an end in Buffalo on Eastwood Place at around 4:30am Sunday.

He says the cuts and bruises on his face are from the National Hockey League star Patrick Kane and his 21-year-old cousin James. Patrick Kane, who is only 20-years-old, plays for the Chicago Blackhawks.

The cab driver, who asked to only be referred to by his initials, J.R., said, "One guy pays and the other guy grabs me by the throat, Pat Kane. Turned out to be a hockey player, I don't know who they are.  The cab driver told News 4 people in the neighborhood heard the commotion and recognized the hockey player.

The cab fare came to $13.80. J.R. says the Kanes gave him $15 but he could only give them a dollar change, "I didn't have 20 cents to give change. I didn't have the change."

All of a sudden, according to the alleged victim and the police report he filed, "The one Kane is choking me the other one is punching me; 'Don't you know who I am? Don't you know who I am. You're messing with the wrong people.' I says I didn't have the extra 20 cents to give them change."

The cab driver accuses Patrick and James of taking the rest of his money. "My glasses are busted, my shirt's torn open," he added.

Pat Kane and his cousin are charged with robbery and criminal mischief. In a statement, the Chicago Blackhawks said, "We are aware of the allegations towards Patrick Kane. He is a big part of our organization and a team leader and we stand behind him. As we are still collecting all the facts, it would be premature to comment further at this time."

Patrick and James entered a not guilty plea in court on Sunday morning.

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News 4 has learned that a young National Hockey League star from South Buffalo was arrested by police early Sunday morning.

According to a police report, 20-year-old forward for the Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane is accused of assaulting a cab driver. His cousin, 21-year-old James Kane is accused of the same crime. They have been charged with theft of services, criminal mischief and robbery in the second degree.

The report alleges that both Patrick and James Kane took a cab from Chippewa to a home in the City and were charged $13.80. The cab driver claims they gave him $15 to pay the fare but he only had $1 and did not have another 20-cents to give back in change. According to the report, both Kanes grabbed the $15 then punched the cab driver in the face and head.

Buffalo Police Spokesman Mike DeGeorge says the cab driver appears to have suffered cuts to his face and his glasses were damaged.

An attorney told News 4 Kane entered a not guilty in City court Sunday morning.