California Uber driver calls SWAT team on “passenger” with a gun
In a previously life I worked as an Lyft driver. And I’m here to say, randos approach rideshares to demand a ride surprisingly often. Now, most of them are trying to get home after a night at the bars. But an Uber driver in LA had this happen at 7 AM. And when he refused, the “passenger” pulled a gun.
Early one November morning, a Los Angeles Uber driver parked his car at a Metro light rail station in the Mount Washington neighborhood. He must have hoped it would only be a matter of time before some rail passenger requested a lift to their final destination. But he got more than he bargained for.
A man, about 30 years old, approached the car and asked for a ride. For what must have seemed like the millionth time, the driver explained he only accepted ride requests through the Uber app. The traveler reached in his pocket. But not for a cellphone. He pulled out a gun and demanded a ride.
Uber highjacked with a gun
The scared driver unlocked the door and allowed the passenger to get into the back seat. The highjacker must have let his guard down for an instant, because the driver slipped out of the car and made a break for it. He ran down Marmion Way, braced for a hail of bullets. But no gunshots rang out.
Just after 7:30 AM, the driver flagged down and LAPD Transit officer and explained that a highjacker was barricaded in the back seat of his car, armed and dangerous. But luckily, he wasn’t going anywhere. The quick-thinking driver had taken the keys.
More LAPD officers arrived, but the suspect refused to exit the vehicle. When the police SWAT team got to the scene, the man still wasn’t going anywhere. As minutes stretched to hours, with the situation barricading the Metro train station entrance, the city of LA added bus routes so commuters could get to work.
The suspect held out for three hours before finally surrendering peacefully just before 11 AM. The LAPD found that his “gun” had just been a painted BB gun.
If you are either a driver or passenger of a rideshare app, it’s good to familiarize yourself with the app’s safety features. Both Uber and Lyft allow you to covertly send an emergency alert–which includes a vehicle description and your planned route.
