The parolee who robbed a taxi driver of his cell phone and duffel bag with a pair of remote controls taped together to mimic a gun was sentenced to six years prison.

Stephen Luke, 24, agreed to risk six years in prison in April when he pleaded no contest to robbery and admitted being a second-strike offender. Judge James Ellis had the option of eliminating the previous strike but refused the defense request to do so, sentencing Luke instead to the full six years possible.

At approximately 1:45 a.m. May 15, 2007, according to the District Attorney’s Office, Luke climbed into a yellow cab at the Redwood City Caltrain station and asked for a ride to San Mateo. Upon arriving at Fifth Avenue and El Dorado Street, Luke reportedly put a metal object to the driver’s head, apologized for robbing him and fled with his duffel bag and cell phone.

Authorities later found the phone in a woman’s possession and traced it back to Luke. They also discovered the supposed gun was actually two remote controls taped together.

At the time of his arrest, Luke was on parole from prison where he served time for drug possession. He also has a prior juvenile conviction for forcible rape.

Luke remains in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102.