Lyft Driver Kidnapped, Bound And Raped Passenger: Prosecutors

CHICAGO, IL — A Chicago Lyft driver has been charged with kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman who fell asleep in his car during a ride. At a bond hearing Monday, prosecutors said the ride-share driver bound the woman with zip ties and threatened her with a knife before raping her July 7.

Angelo McCoy, 48, of the 7200 block of South Sawyer Avenue, was arrested July 19. He was being held at Cook County Jail in lieu of a $900,000 bond, according to the sheriff's office.

He faces charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated kidnapping, armed robbery and unlawful restraint, according to WMAQ.

Prosecutors said the 25-year-old woman had been drinking while out with friends and requested a ride using the app from the River North neighborhood. She said she fell asleep shortly after McCoy picked her up just after 11 p.m. in the 400 block of North Clark Street, near the intersection with Hubbard Street. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or other communities. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

At Monday's hearing, prosecutors explained an investigation determined the driver had indicated the ride had ended at 11:11 p.m., when in fact the woman was held captive for close to two hours, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The woman realized she was not on the correct route home as soon as she awoke, and she told police she asked to exit the car. According to prosecutors, McCoy refused to let her out and instead drove into an alley, grabbed her by the throat and tied her up while armed with a knife.

Prosecutors said the woman saw bystanders during the assault but they did not respond to her screaming for help. McCoy then took the woman's phone and license and demanded cash.

McCoy continued to try to hold her against her will, prosecutors said. She jumped out of the car near Ashland and Belmont avenues and ran directly to the car behind her. The motorist let her into his car, offered to drive her home and persuaded her to report the attack.

"These allegations are sickening and horrifying. As soon as we were made aware of this incident, we deactivated the driver’s account and did everything we could to assist law enforcement,” Lyft spokesperson Scott Coriell said in a statement to the media. “Our concern is with the victim and her well-being. We stand ready to assist law enforcement in their investigation."

McCoy is scheduled to appear in court again on Aug. 9.

Read more from WMAQ, Chicago Tribune, DNAinfo

Top photo: Angelo McCoy booking photograph | Chicago PD