CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are investigating an armed robbery involving a Lyft driver in the NoDa neighborhood. 

  • Incident happened early Saturday morning in the NoDa area
  • Driver says she was picking up a rider who appeared to have a gun
  • The driver was not hurt

Erica Anderson, the driver, says someone scheduled a ride on the Lyft app to be picked up near the intersection of North Davidson and 36th Street at around 4:45 a.m. Saturday morning.

She says while she was waiting, she saw someone come up to the car with what appeared to be a handgun. 

"I just see something silver pop out,” Anderson said. “And she says, ‘get out of the car, give me the keys.’ I knew I was getting robbed, but it just wasn't registering."

 

 

Anderson was not hurt. She says it was only her fourth day driving for the company and she had just got the brand new Toyota Corolla a month ago. She says the person got away with her car, wallet and cell phone. 

A spokesperson with CMPD says they don't have a description of the suspect at this time.

Lyft's “Driver Safety” policy online shows they instruct drivers to first call 911, then “take the appropriate steps to protect yourself and get to a safe place as needed.​”

The website then instructs drivers to open the app and “tap ‘Call Me’ below to get connected with our critical response team. We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.​”

The driver says she was able to get in contact with someone from Lyft. 

Lyft released a stated on the incident. 

"These allegations are incredibly upsetting and frightening. We are relieved the driver was not seriously harmed, and have reached out to extend our full support.

Safety has been our number one priority from day one. This behavior is absolutely not tolerated on the Lyft platform, and we have deactivated the passenger account. We have reached out to law enforcement to offer our assistance."

Car stolen
Picture of stolen vehicle.

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