/ CBS Chicago. Big Tech Is Watching You. All Rights Reserved. During the attack, he was shot in the head and face. Not all carjackings are covered by the local news, and most police departments dont compile stats on carjackings that happen specifically to ride-hail drivers. Your gift lets us report the stories that help to build a better future. Please enter valid email address to continue. Before approaching La Fountain's vehicle, the three suspects exited a black SUV, possibly a Kia Soul, according to Chicago police. After being attacked at the shuttered sports arena in Cleveland, Norman said she headed straight to the police station. Neither company responded to requests for comments on these cases. His joy was his daughter.". Your contributions help us investigate how technology influences oursociety. Theyre the innovators.. "I have no income now because I don't have a car," Sanchez said. . Chicago Police said there were a total of four carjackings that took place in about three and a half hours in three different police districts Tuesday night. "I don't think a few hundred or a few thousand dollars is worth anyone's life - and at least mine or my father's life for sure," he said. Police said the girls, 13 and 15, attacked the man with a Taser, then tried to steal his car. The apps matched all five of those drivers to pick up passengers who then went on to rob, beat, shoot, and in one case, kill them. Reddit threads are filled with drivers swapping stories about alias rider names like The man, dark vader, and KINK86. A Chicago ride-hail driver started a petition calling on Uber and Lyft to ban fake names because of safety issues; it now has more than 1,800 signatures. Police departments nationwide have reported an overall surge in carjackings during the pandemic, and these incidents appear to be happening to ride-hail drivers at an especially high rate. The pair, ages 13 and 15, have been charged with felony murder, carjacking and armed robbery in the deadly incident, which they allegedly carried out near Nationals Park in the Southeast section of the nations capital. One of them got in the back seat and shot the father of three in the head, the station said. A. Drivers want to see a real first names and want rideshare companies to require a state ID or license picture to be uploaded as a rider picture, instead of the ability to use a blank avatar. After carjackings, drivers say that when they contacted the companies for help, Uber and Lyft did little to nothing to assist with things like medical bills and property damage. The trio sped off in his truck, and the Uber drive was left with nothing. Eleven have died as a result of the assaults, dozens more have been severely or permanently injured. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Had a carjacking in my area where the father left the kids in car while he went inside pizza place to pick up order. CHICAGO - At least five people were carjacked and robbed in a span of two hours Wednesday morning across several Chicago neighborhoods, according to a new CPD community alert. "I already knew what was happening and just said, listen Brian, do what they ask you to do," La Fountain said, recounting Thursday morning's incident. Lyft driver Elijah Newman had just moved to St. Louis when he was attacked in an attempted carjacking in April. The victims include a man unloading groceries in Jefferson Park, an Uber driver. Thirteen incidents involved guns, two involved knives or sharp objects, and 3 had the rideshare driver physically overpowered without a weapon involved. He was attacked by two passengers, one of whom put a gun to his head before the ride started and demanded he leave the car. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Texas carjacking suspect pulled gun on mother in front of her children, led police on chase, Teen boys charged in carjacking murder of honor student, Family begs third suspect to confess after carjacking puts man in coma, Video captures critically injured man thrown from SUV by 15-year-old carjackers. We've received your submission. August 31, 2021 / 6:19 PM He has been an Uber driver for five years, and nothing like this has ever happened. Sanchez said the woman's behavior at the drive-thru so unnerved him that he could not properly respond to what the dispatcher was asking. A fourth person was said to have driven that vehicle away from the scene. (January 7) The Aurora Police Department is investigating a shooting stemming from a domestic violence argument that left two people dead in District 3. Lyft didnt comment on why passengers dont have to upload profile pictures and are allowed to use alias names and anonymous payment methods. Lori Lightfoot, who defied expectations four years ago to win the Chicago mayoral race as a political outsider, finds herself once again the underdog as she . The carjackings happened Wednesday morning at the following times and locations: Anyone with information on the carjackings is asked to call Area Three detectives at (312) 744-8263. The group hijacks a vehicle, often an. Drivers say the companies are doing little to help By Dara Kerr July 22, 2021 08:00 ET Updated July 22, 2021 16:40 ET For comparison, other metro areas with a high number of gig worker carjackings that weve been able to confirm are Atlanta with nine and Cleveland with 12. "He got in the seat behind me and started punching me from behind, right in the chest," Sanchez said. Indiana resident Joe Schelstraete, 38, was working in Cicero, Illinois Monday evening when he picked up four armed men who used the Uber app to hail him, according to Fox 32. the criminal took off w the car with 3 kids inside. "A class 1 felony vehicular hijacking or carjacking, is punishable by 4 to 15 years in prison," said Booker. Were Watching BigTech. The carjackings were very, very similar. today in south carolina. Their cars ended up crashed, in chop-shops, or used in other crimes. All Rights Reserved. "Two or three days ago, someone had sent me a picture in the group - a guy's face was busted open," he said. The son said safety measures like passenger photo sharing before pickup, and video camera surveillance in all Ubers, should be mandatory. CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two rideshare drivers were recovering Tuesday after being attacked with stun guns by their passengers. The crime took place around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 3700-block of Douglas Avenue, investigators said. By comparison, there were 75 during the same period in 2019, according to city data. Neither company responded to allegations that they failed to help the drivers we spoke to after they were carjacked. After being carjacked, ride-hail drivers lives can be turned upside down as they try to heal from injuries and recover their cars. And he even came across one driver wearing a bulletproof vestits the only way he feels safe working now, the driver told Sanchez. They can face penalties if they decline rides. We deactivated the accounts of the riders involved in these incidents the same day they were reported to us.. He cant even tie his shoes, Sheryl said, verging on tears. It all started in North Lawndale and ended in suburban Stickney Township. At the time of one of these incidents in San Francisco, DoorDash CEO Tony Xu said in a statement that he was appalled and relieved that the children are safe. Xu said the company was in contact with the driver and had worked with law enforcement. "And not only that, but that car was a brand new car for me. LegalRideshare, the firm Greening co-founded, has donated $10,000 to buy dash cams for Chicago-based drivers. He said Ubers and Lyfts apps are set up in a way that can assist potential carjackers. He said his father is a top-rated Uber driver who works 12-hour shifts. I just cant trust no one, period, Norman said. According to a police report from the Columbus Division of Police, The victim pleaded with the suspects asking them whywhywhy? Sanchez said its crucial that Uber and Lyft do whatever it takes to deter criminals from using the apps. Chicago police said on Jan. 20, a rideshare driver was carjacked in front of Willis Tower. "They went on a rampage. I was lucky," said La Fountain, the victim of a carjacking early Thursday. Cynthia Norman, of Cleveland, was injured in an attempted carjacking while driving for Lyft. Driver's Son: "Right now, he's OK. The driver's son met his father at the scene to pick him up after he was attacked. Elijah, being the person he was, he was not going to give up his car.. The Uber driver's son said once his father picked the men up in his black Toyota Highlander, he was attacked with a stun gun a block into the ride. "A few of them, they were actually sleeping. Were not allowed to have any kind of weaponknives, brass knuckles, pepper spray, guns, baseball bats. Through interviews with drivers and family members, police reports, and local news articles, The Markup found Uber and Lyft drivers from Boston to Nashville to Sioux Falls, S.D., whove been victims of carjackings or attempted carjackings. In Chicago, for instance, scared drivers have refused to go to certain neighborhoods, which means residents in those areas are seeing high-cost surge pricing and drops in available rides. We're also exploring ways to expand the use of certain safety features and alerts to prevent these kinds of incidents moving forward. The victim was standing on Chestnut Street at approximately 10:20 p.m. with his girlfriend when man approached and demanded the keys to his vehicle, according to law enforcement. Lyft didnt respond to a request for comment about providing drivers with dash cams. "This could have been anyone's brother, anyone's son, anyone's father, anyone's cousin," Hortencia Ramos said. All Rights Reserved. Some of the carjackings are wrong place at the wrong time types of incidents, but 75 (more than 60percent) of the attacks tracked by The Markup happened after drivers were paired with their would-be assailants by Ubers or Lyfts algorithm. You get these cars to the location, they're waiting for you and once inside the vehicle it's much easier for them to force the individual out of the car. He had visible gunshot wounds to his right arm, shoulder, and face. Then he punched her in the face. "Nothing happened to me physically, right.". He said he felt something right off the bat.. Drivers have long complained about what they call phantom profiles, which are riders, like NBA, who dont use their real names or profile pictures. Uber And Lyft Drivers Are Being Carjacked at Alarming Rates The Markup confirmed 124 carjackings and attempted carjackings of ride-hail drivers across the country. Five days after the ordeal, 19 News reported a female Uber driver in Cleveland was attacked in a nearly identical incident that had the same red flags Norman noted. dagen: owner of aluminum refinery in brazil in amazon was sued not ford. Roth said since the sheriff's office still has his car, he is hopeful they will find some evidence that will link it to the carjackers. Here are our tips for looking intoit, An investigation by The Markup found racial disparities in L.A.s intake system for unhousedpeople. Edmond Harris, 18, is charged with shooting Anthony Jones on Jan. 20 during an attempted carjacking. Ramos, who is Miss Illinois International 2021, last saw her cousin in February as they celebrated her accomplishment. A total of 744 carjackings have been reported since the beginning of the year in Chicago, according to police data. Local drivers are so concerned about the increase, they've gathered more than 1,700 signatures on a petition. When I put someone in the back of my car, I pray they dont have a gun, Kevin Ferrari said. It didnt even cover towing; they billed me for that too, she said. His right arm is permanently paralyzed. Uber drivers told the station they are terrified. Javier Ramos' family said the Uber driver was killed while fighting back when a passenger tried to carjack him early Tuesday morning in North Lawndale. His son spoke to us, under the condition we conceal his identity for the interview. Chicago police are looking for a suspect after an Uber driver was shot and killed on the city's West Side. If they do this for a living, they have built in reasons to take every ride that comes their way.. The 15-year-old suspect could be charged as an adult, but that would increase the burden of proof on prosecutors, the report said. The drivers insurance provider didnt respond to a request for comment. A police officer views a crashed car in the 8800 block of South Vincennes Avenue in Chicago on March 9, 2021. I was lucky. Norman said Lyft dealt her one final blow after her experience with NBA. Despite her quick reaction that night, the incident rattled her. Chicago police said on Jan. 20, a rideshare driver was carjacked in front of Willis Tower. At 13 and 15, the girls are obviously too young to drive legally. Advocates say the companies could do more to keep drivers safe, including banning prepaid cards, requiring all riders to use a valid ID, and having passengers upload selfies before rides. Indiana resident Joe Schelstraete, 38, was working in Cicero, Illinois Monday evening when he. I just want to have a vehicle, she said, so we can make some money and work.. Uber Uberan. ", 1 hospitalized after fire in West Town, CFD says, Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, Belvidere Jeep assembly plant shut down indefinitely. Whatever they want, I'm doing," Naftali Roth said. No one has been charged in his carjacking. He's also charged with a March 6 carjacking and with killing an Uber driver during a March 23 carjacking. When he was picking them up, he said, This isnt good, said Sheryl Cross, Tommys wife, who was on the phone with him at the time. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Rideshare drivers are calling for changes to popular platforms in response to a dramatic increase in carjackings. 1 ranking for business relocations, expansion. These additional verification requirements can act as a deterrent to those who are trying to use the app to cause harm, Uber said in a blog post. Hes a hardworking young man that was out trying to make a dollar, said Cicero Police Chief Jerry Chlada, according to the Fox affiliate. The son of the victim of the Sawyer Avenue carjacking said he also works for Uber. Uber didnt respond to a request for comment on his case. 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The safety of the Lyft community is our highest priority and we take decisions of this nature extremely seriously, Bob wrote to Norman in a follow-up email, which was provided to The Markup. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. But recently, prices have soared for the services. He was not injured, but he feels like had he not done what the carjackers wanted, he would not be here to tell his story. And as soon as I did that, he got into the driver seat because the door was open already and he took control the car and sped off with it.". Last Wednesday, 56-year-actor and Lyft driver. "I'm just really thankful he was able to get out of it without any injuries.". To get on the platform, riders just need an email address and phone numberboth of which can be spoofed through fake email accounts, free SMS services, and burner phones. Include a man unloading groceries in Jefferson Park, an investigation by the Markup found racial disparities L.A.s. 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