A Honolulu taxi driver was charged with attempted murder yesterday after he allegedly drove his car into a customer who declined to tip him for a ride, according to a document filed in O'ahu Circuit Court.

Guillermo B. Fernandez was charged with one count of second-degree attempted murder. Fernandez was arrested at 10:02 a.m. Friday after witnesses told police Fernandez ran his car into Ryan Foth several times.

Fernandez was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail and is scheduled to make his initial court appearance Thursday.

Foth got into Fernandez's taxi at the Ilikai Hotel and asked to be driven to CompUSA on Ala Moana boulevard, a police affidavit said.

Foth handed Fernandez a $10 bill to cover the $7 fare and Fernandez allegedly handed Foth $1 in return. Foth said he wasn't tipping and asked Fernandez for his change and a receipt, the affidavit said.

Fernandez continued to refuse and the pair began to argue.

Foth got out of the taxi and started to walk toward Personal Touch Computers on Keawe Street when he was struck from behind by the taxi, the affidavit said.

Foth fell onto the hood of the car as Fernandez allegedly reversed and hit another car.

Foth tried to walk mauka on Keawe Street but Fernandez drove into him again. Foth hit the front bumper and rolled up onto the windshield, cracking it, the affidavit said.

Foth got up only to be run down again by Fernandez, who then sped off, the affidavit said.

Police interviewed more than six witnesses, one of whom accused Fernandez of driving at more than "50 miles an hour" at Foth, the affidavit said.

One witness told police Foth stood in the street demanding his passport back as Fernandez attempted to run him down five times.

Witnesses finally pulled Foth out of the street before Fernandez drove off.

The owner of Fernandez's taxi, Wing Chi Chau, told police that Fernandez returned to the cab dispatch center with $8,000 in damage.

Foth was treated for arm and spine abrasions and released at the scene.

Fernandez told police, "I left my car at home," and "He hit me first," the affidavit said.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.