Suspect arrested in cabbie's slaying

Upper Darby police today charged a 19-year-old man with addresses in Philadelphia and Upper Darby for the murder of a cab driver, found slain early on Christmas Eve.

Ramir Steve was arrested in Philadelphia yesterday afternoon and arraigned this morning in the shooting of Gregory Cunningham, 42, of Clifton Heights. He was held without bail, and his preliminary hearing was scheduled for next Friday.

Police believe the shooting was the result of a botched robbery attempt, and that Steve fled after the shooting, taking only the cab driver's cell phone. The driver was found with $700 in his pocket.

Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said Steve's brother, Romar Steve, provided information that helped in the arrest.

Police recovered a .45 caliber, semiautomatic handgun at Steve's Upper Darby address - in the 7400 block of Rogers Avenue - earlier in the week.

Upper Darby Police Chief Michael Chitwood said Steve brashly used the cab driver's two-way radio after the killing to report that he would not be showing up for his next assignment.

"He gets on the air and says 'He ain't going to make it to terrace because I shot him and he's dead,'" Chitwood said.