Uber Driver May Have Kidnapped Passenger In Annapolis: Police

ANNAPOLIS, MD —Authorities are trying to determine if a woman who was driven out of Annapolis and left on a highway was the victim of a kidnapping by an Uber driver or someone posing as a ride-share driver.

About 3 a.m. Saturday, Annapolis Police officers received a report from a woman that she was the victim of a possible kidnapping involving an Uber driver or someone posing as an Uber driver. The victim reported that she was in the 100 block of Dock Street at 1 a.m. waiting for an Uber ride. A vehicle pulled up and the woman assumed it was her ride. When she approached the vehicle, the male driver told her to get in the front passenger seat.

As they were driving the woman realized they were on a highway and were not going to her destination in Annapolis. She repeatedly told the driver that he had missed her exit and when she asked where he was taking her he replied that he was going to get her home, police said. The woman pleaded with the driver to stop and eventually he did stop along the highway.

When the passenger got out of the vehicle the driver did too; he grabbed her arm, but he was startled and let go of her, then drove away. Right after he pulled away a vehicle stopped and the occupants helped the woman return to Annapolis.

Police said Saturday that it is unclear if the driver who picked the woman up was operating as an Uber driver or any other ride-sharing service. Annapolis Police are also trying to determine if the driver mistakenly picked up the woman thinking that she was another fare going to a different location.

Investigators said the driver is described as a Middle Eastern male with light facial hair. The vehicle is described as a mid-sized silver SUV.

Anyone with information about the driver is asked to contact detectives at 410-260-3439.

Annapolis Police also offered tip on how to identify your Uber driver and vehicle:

• When you request a ride, your app sends your request to nearby drivers. After you’re matched with a driver, your app shares information about the vehicle and driver headed to your pick up location.
• Tap the bar that includes the driver’s name, photo and vehicle. This displays a photo of your driver along with the vehicle’s make, model and license plate number.
• When you see your driver’s vehicle at your pick up location, confirm that the license plate number displayed in your app matches the actual vehicle. Drivers will often ask your name before starting the trip.

Lyft also provides customers with the driver’s name, profile photo and an image of the vehicle before the ride. Confirm that the vehicle and driver photos in the app match the actual vehicle and driver.