Rideshare drivers and riders in Baltimore are on high alert after another violent incident, as authorities report a Lyft driver was carjacked and attacked Saturday morning in the southern part of the city.
Police stated he picked up a fare in the 100 block of South Payson Street.
Authorities said a group of three men and three women assaulted a Lyft driver by approaching his new blue Toyota Corolla, injuring him, seizing his phone, and escaping in his car, CBS Baltimore reported.
The Lyft driver carjacked fled the attack and sought help from someone to notify the police. Aftermath, the victim had minor arm and hand injuries but declined treatment, per Baltimore police.
Police detected a wave of rideshare app-related carjackings.
When their Uber ride came, clients were held at gunpoint, abducted, or transported to an ATM, and robbed-sometimes all three.
According to a spokesperson from the Baltimore Police Department, they are currently investigating a series of robberies where suspects have been using ride-sharing apps to carjack drivers and subsequently use the same app to pick up victims, whom they either rob through Cash App or take to ATMs.
The spokesperson also revealed that there have been several arrests made and rideshare payment reversals in connection to these incidents.
According to a statement from an Uber spokeswoman provided, the company finds the reported attacks alarming and recommends users "cancel" their trips if they have concerns about their safety, as well as verify their ride details, per the Miami Herald.
Lyft Driver Shoots Carjacker
The news came following an incident where a Philadelphia Lyft driver was armed and carjacked early this month.
An attempted carjacking rear-ended a West Philadelphia Lyft driver. When he got out to check the damage, a shotgun-wielding criminal from the opposite car attacked him, according to Ridester.
The midday armed carjacker almost entered the Lyft driver's car. The shotgun-wielding man was shot in the chest by the Lyft driver.
The carjacking incident happened in West Philadelphia, on the 1100 block of North 40th Street.
According to police, the Lyft driver had a valid gun permit, and the prosecutor declined to charge the driver.
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