A 48-year-old Lyft driver, Angelo McCoy, zip-tied and raped his passenger at knifepoint. He then took her phone and driver's license. [Courtesy of Chicago Police Department]
Sharing economy began with good intention but it seems like Airbnb, Uber, and Lyft cannot stop making headlines as users with bad intentions abuse them.
A Chicago Lyft driver, Angelo McCoy, was arrested and charged for zip-tying and raping a 25-year-old woman who was his passenger.
The passenger was out drinking with her friends and ordered a Lyft home. She fell asleep in the car but woke up a little later only to realize her ride was heading toward a different neighborhood. She asked to get out of the car but McCoy drove into an alley. He parked his car and got in the backseat to zip-tie her hands behind her back.
McCoy raped her at knifepoint. The victim screamed for help when she spotted three people in the alley, but no one stepped up to help her. After raping, he took her phone and driver's license, and demanded to give him cash.
The victim was able to escape by jumping out of the moving car. A driver who was behind McCoy's car took her to a nearby police station.
According to the police report, the whole ordeal took about two hours.
After notified of the incident, Lyft deactivated McCoy's account and cooperated with Chicago PD. Scott Criell, a Lyft spokesperson, said in a statement, "These allegations are sickening and horrifying. As soon as we were made aware of this incident, we deactivated the driver's account and did everything we could to assist law enforcement", and added, "Our concern is with the victim and her well-being. We stand ready to assist law enforcement in their investigation."
The incident took place on July 7, and McCoy was arrested on July 19. He had his first hearing on Monday this week. McCoy was charged with aggravated criminal assault, aggravated kidnapping, armed robbery, and unlawful restraint. He had a next court appearance scheduled on August 9.
Kwak, Min Jung = abiel@ajunews.com
reporter
KwakMin-jung
abiel@ajunews.com
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