Rideshare drivers carjacked by teenagers – UPDATE
Uber has condemned the attacks on its drivers, and is working with police.
UPDATE, 14 May 2024: Uber has spoken out over two attacks on its drivers in recent days, calling it "shocking" and condemning the violence.
A spokesperson for the rideshare company told Drive: "These are shocking incidents and we strongly condemn any criminal or violent activity against our driver and delivery partners. We have contacted each of the individuals involved in the incidents to offer our support, and we stand ready to assist the Victorian and Queensland Police in their investigations.
"We are deeply committed to the safety of everyone who earns on the Uber platform and have a number of guidelines and features in place with the goal of keeping them safe."
According to Uber, it has an Incident Response Team on call 24/7 to respond to incidents or accidents, and drivers are covered by a 'support package' which includes insurance should something such as this happen while they're on a trip.
Our original story continues below unchanged.
13 May 2024: Two rideshare drivers have been carjacked at opposite ends of the country.
Queensland police arrested and charged seven teenagers following an alleged stolen car incident in the Brisbane suburb of Chermside on Friday morning, May 10, after responding to reports a rideshare vehicle had been involved in an attempted carjacking while parked near a McDonald’s in Hamilton Road.
The rideshare driver fled to the fast-food restaurant, but was allegedly followed by the group where he, another driver and two members of staff were injured in an “altercation”, before the teens stole the second driver’s keys and made their getaway.
Police tracked the vehicle as it travelled through Clayfield, Nundah and South Brisbane, before successfully spiking its tyres at Goodna at around 1.40am and arresting seven people.
A 15-year-old Chermside West girl has been charged with armed robbery in company, attempted robbery, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and two counts of common assault.
She appeared in Brisbane Children’s Court on Friday.
Four other girls, aged from 13 to 15, and two boys, both aged 15, have been charged with armed robbery in company, attempted robbery, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and two counts of common assault.
They are all due to appear in Brisbane Children’s Court on May 17.
Meanwhile, also on Friday May 10 in Victoria, detectives charged three people following an alleged carjacking in Tarneit, 25km west of Melbourne.
It is alleged a group of teens were picked up by a ride share driver in a Mercedes-Benz SUV on Cloverdale Road at about 11pm when it’s alleged one of the passengers exited the car, opened the driver’s door and attacked him.
It’s alleged the offenders then pulled the driver out of the car, got back in the vehicle and fled the area.
The driver, a 62-year-old Point Cook man, sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.
The vehicle was then tracked by Highway Patrol in Point Cook before the Air Wing also joined the hunt.
Two teenage girls were seen fleeing the vehicle on The Strand and were arrested a short time later.
Officers then followed the vehicle to Woolybush Drive, Tarneit where five offenders dumped the car and fled on foot.
Three of the alleged thieves were found and arrested at the scene – an 18-year-old Point Cook male and a 15-year-old Hoppers Crossing boy were charged with theft of motor vehicle. A a 16-year-old Point Cook boy was taken to hospital after sustaining a bite from a police dog and was later charged with the same offence.
The trio were bailed to appear in court at a later date.
The two girls, both 14 from St Albans and Point Cook, were released and are expected to be charged on summons with theft of motor vehicle.
Police are still looking for two remaining teens who were not found at the time and are appealing to anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
