Nightmare Ride: Two Arrested in Boynton Beach After Uber Driver Kidnapping
A chilling incident unfolded in Boynton Beach, Florida, when an Uber driver was kidnapped at gunpoint and forced to drive the perpetrators on a wild crime spree across Palm Beach County. The harrowing ordeal lasted nearly two hours, with the suspects attempting to use stolen credit cards to withdraw cash from ATMs.The Incident Unfolds
According to the Boynton Beach Police Department, the incident occurred on Friday, January 16th, after an Uber driver picked up a routine ride request near the Catalina Center in Boynton Beach. The situation quickly escalated when the passenger, later identified as Isaiah Thurston, pressed a firearm into the driver's back and ordered them to cancel the ride.
The Crime Spree Continues
Thurston, 20, was dressed entirely in black and wearing a ski mask when he allegedly forced the driver to continue driving through several cities, including West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach. During the nearly two-hour ordeal, police said the suspects attempted to withdraw money from ATMs using multiple credit cards believed to be stolen.
The Investigation and Arrests
Following the victim's report, detectives launched an investigation that led them to a Courtyard Marriott hotel in the area. Authorities located Thurston and his accomplice, Jakeria Riley, 24, nearby and took both into custody. During a search, officers said Riley was found in possession of cocaine and several credit cards not belonging to her.
Charges and Court Appearances
The couple was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on multiple charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery, possession of a controlled substance, violation of probation, and resisting arrest. Police records show additional charges may be pending as the investigation continues. Riley appeared before a judge on January 18th, where no bond was set, while Thurston declined to appear in court and his initial appearance was postponed.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by ride-sharing drivers and the importance of vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement. As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward and contact the Boynton Beach Police Department.
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