Three men rob Uber driver in Jackson, police say
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Police are searching for three men that reportedly robbed an Uber driver in Jackson yesterday afternoon.
According to a release from the Jackson Police Department, the ridesharing service driver picked up three men in Manhattan on a request for a ride to a residence on Wilson Boulevard in the township.
“Once in the area, he observed that one of the suspects was on a cell phone appearing to arrange a meeting with another person,” Capt. Steven Laskiewicz said in a release. “The victim then left the neighborhood without stopping at the residence and made a right turn onto Don Connor Boulevard, heading toward Bowman Road.”
At that point, the Uber driver told police that the suspect became agitated, with one of them producing a handgun and yelling at the victim, Laskiewicz said, adding that the suspects stole cash, a cell phone, and car keys from the driver after he pulled into the Forest Resource Education Center.
“They reportedly threw his car keys into the woods as they fled to a red vehicle (believe to be a red Pontiac) driven by an unknown person, which then left the scene in the direction of Bowman Road,” he said.
The Uber driver, who the spokesman described as “distraught,” then flagged down Lt. John Giovanetti, who was on patrol in the area.
Uber spokesman Craig Ewer says the company is aware of the situation.
“We’re in touch with this driver and with law enforcement to offer our support and to assist in the investigation any way we can,” he said.
Police describe the suspects as follows:
Suspect #1: A black male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with an Adidas emblem and a backpack.
Suspect #2: A black or hispanic male wearing a red shirt, gray jeans, and a “shiny” black jacket.
Suspect #3: An approximately 6-foot tall, clean-shaven black male with short curly hair, wearing a tan jacket, white shirt, blue jeans, and tan Timberland style boots. He reportedly brandished a gunmetal colored revolver that was believed to be loaded.
Police ask that anyone with information contact Det. John Rodriguez at 732-928-1111.
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