A Nashua cab driver dealing with a difficult and allegedly violent fare pulled out a handgun and kept the man at bay until police arrived, according to Amherst Police.



Brian Paradise, 48, of Nashua, a driver for SK Cabs in Nashua, was taking Jarrod Brouillette, 25, of Amherst, from Nashua to Amherst when Brouillette allegedly bit the cabbie to avoid paying his fare, according to Laurie Lester, a dispatcher for SK Cabs in Nashua.



"I wasn't working, so I don't know the details, but I do know that the driver was bitten," said Lester.



Paradise, who is licensed to carry a concealed weapon, pulled out his handgun during the incident, which happened just before 1 a.m. on Route 101A near Northern Boulevard in Amherst.



Amherst Police arrested Brouillette and charged him with simple assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He was later released on $3,000 personal recognizance bail pending arraignment in Milford on Jan. 9.



Lester said that while SK Cabs does not encourage drivers carry weapons, many do.



"They're self-employed, and so if they're licensed to do so, they can carry a gun. We don't recommend it, but that's up to them," Lester said.



