News-Record.com

Am I missing something here or are the Durham police doing their level-best Keystone Kops impersonation?

As if unorthodox lineups weren't enough, the latest curiosity in the Duke lacrosse rape case involves the arrest of the cab driver who has provided an alibi for one of the lacrosse players who allegedly raped an exotic dancer.

The News & Observer of Raleigh (registration required) reports that police on Wednesday arrested cab driver Moezeldin Elmostafa on a tenuous, 3-year-old misdemeanor larceny charge.

The N&O article describes the charges against Elmostafa:

"Elmostafa was charged with a misdemeanor larceny that occurred Sept. 2, 2003, when a woman stole five purses worth $250 from the Hecht's department store at Northgate Mall.

"Elmostafa said Wednesday that he had picked up Lisa Faye Hawkins and her daughter at their home and had taken them to the mall. Elmostafa said he waited in the taxi with the daughter while Hawkins shopped and then he drove the two home.

"Elmostafa said he later received a call asking him to speak with Hecht's security. The security officer at Hecht's said Hawkins had stolen some purses before getting into the taxi, Elmostafa said.

"Elmostafa said he gave the woman's address and a copy of his driver's license to the security guard, who thanked him for his help.

" 'I am not responsible for what she did inside the store,' Elmostafa said. 'I am just a taxi driver.'"

This looks awful, like an act of desperation. And it hardly helps the prosecution's case.