‘This is scary’: Dougherty Co. Uber driver carjacked at gunpoint, police say

DOUGHERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - An Uber driver was carjacked Monday afternoon by the passenger she was dropping off on North Jefferson Street. Police are still searching for the person responsible who may still have the car.

The carjacking happened around 1 p.m. The woman who was dropping off her Uber passenger got out of the car to straighten her trunk when she was held at gunpoint by that passenger and left with only her shoes and phone, according to the Dougherty County Police Department (DCPD).

The woman wasn’t harmed in the situation but is now missing the one thing she needs to work.

“He was nice enough to give her phone and shoes because the shoes she was wearing weren’t suitable for walking,” said JC Phillips, a Dougherty County detective.

The suspect is described as being a black male that is approximately 5′10 to 6′ in height with a muscular build and dreadlocks. The car stolen was a silver 2021 Chevy Trailblazer with license plate #SBR6365.

Because of the severity of this incident, WALB News 10′s Lenah Allen wasn’t able to speak with the victim. WALB was able to speak with an Uber driver who’s been driving for 4 ½ years, Susan Cooper. She said situations like this rarely happen in rural Georgia but that doesn’t mean Uber drivers can’t avoid the unthinkable.

“Oh my goodness this is scary. You don’t know what to think. You really never know who you’re going to pick up,” Cooper said.

With the threat still at large, police are urging you to be on the lookout for the stolen car but to not put yourself in any danger.

“Don’t try to make contact yourselves. Don’t try to approach him or apprehend him,” Phillips said.

Instead, call Dougherty County police at (229) 430-6600 or 229-436-TIPS.

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