Juvenile arrested for carjacking Uber driver in Dunwoody

DUNWOODY, Ga. - Police have arrested a 16-year-old for allegedly carjacking a 48-year-old woman who was driving for Uber, and who had picked him up for a ride in Dunwoody.

Officers responded to reports of a carjacking in the 5400 block of Winters Chapel Road around 9: 20 a.m. Tuesday.

The woman tells FOX 5, the teenager, who was well dressed, requested a pick-up for a ride to the area surrounding the nearby mall, then held a knife to her neck.

"He pulled a knife out of his pocket, and put it to my throat," said the woman to FOX 5, who wanted to remain anonymous. "I said, 'Are you robbing me?' He said 'yes.' I said 'Just calm down, just let me out,'" she said. The woman says she's a mother of six, and also a grandmother, and was afraid for her life.

The suspect fled in the victim’s vehicle, but was located minutes later by an officer nearby.

The juvenile suspect has been charged with the hijacking of a motor vehicle, aggravated assault and possession of a knife during the commission of a crime. He was booked into the DeKalb County Youth Detention Center. Police said this is the teenager's first encounter with Dunwoody Police.

The woman tells FOX 5, she was shocked that she was carjacked in an area she considers very safe.

"I was doing this for a reason-- now I'm scared to do it," she said, tearfully; she tells FOX 5, she was driving for extra cash to save up to open a beauty salon.

Uber confirms to FOX 5 the report of the incident, and said in a statement, "We have been in touch with the driver, and are grateful that she is safe after such a frightening experience." The company said they are continuing to work with Dunwoody Police in this investigation, and the teenager has been banned from use of the app.

Uber said in a statement. it encourages drivers to practice safety tips while giving rides, including encouraging passengers to sit in the back seat, and ending the ride during any time a driver feels uncomfortable; drivers should also report unsafe or unruly drivers to the company.

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