A disturbing incident in Missouri recently led to the arrest of a man who allegedly kidnapped a Lyft driver at gunpoint, forcing her to drive him to multiple locations, including a Denny’s restaurant, where he reportedly assaulted her. According to court documents, the accused, Anthony Milton, has been charged with kidnapping, assault, unlawful use of a firearm, and other serious offenses. The incident has left the victim traumatized, as the alleged events involved not only threats and forced compliance but also a violent assault.
The ordeal began on October 24 when Milton entered a Lyft in Hazelwood, Missouri. The driver took him to his requested destination, but once they arrived, Milton reportedly refused to exit the vehicle. Instead, he allegedly brandished a gun, holding the driver hostage. He then ordered her to drive to a different address, where he again refused to get out of the car, creating an increasingly tense situation. The driver, unable to safely leave or contact help, found herself trapped with a hostile passenger.
According to the affidavit, Milton eventually directed the driver to take him to a Denny’s restaurant. Once there, he forced her to accompany him inside, purportedly to prevent her from alerting authorities. Inside the restaurant, the driver attempted to use her phone to contact help discreetly. She activated a panic alarm on her phone, hoping it might lead to intervention or create an opportunity to escape.
Seizing a brief moment, the driver sought refuge in the restaurant’s bathroom, hoping to distance herself from her captor. However, Milton allegedly followed her into the bathroom and struck her in the head with his gun, a violent act that left her injured and terrified. Surveillance footage from inside the restaurant reportedly captured part of this altercation, providing crucial evidence of the incident.
Following the attack, Milton left the restaurant. Police later apprehended him in Collinsville, Illinois. His arrest added to a list of charges stemming from prior incidents, further highlighting a history of violent behavior. At the time of the Lyft incident, Milton, a convicted felon, was reportedly already facing other legal issues due to a recent traffic stop. In that earlier encounter, he had allegedly attempted to evade law enforcement, escalating concerns about his behavior and potential threat to public safety.
After his arrest, detectives interviewed Milton, who admitted that he was indeed the person in the Lyft car and that he had accompanied the driver to Denny’s. However, he disputed the details of the encounter, asserting that it was the driver who led him into the bathroom, not the other way around. Witnesses and the surveillance footage reportedly contradicted Milton’s account, showing a different series of events than his version of the story. These witnesses, along with video evidence, played a critical role in piecing together what actually happened and countering Milton’s claims.
Milton’s arrest and the subsequent charges serve as a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by rideshare drivers, who often find themselves in vulnerable positions with strangers in confined spaces. Incidents of violence against rideshare drivers have raised concerns within the industry and among drivers, many of whom feel that more protective measures are needed to ensure their safety on the job. The inherent risks of transporting strangers make rideshare drivers susceptible to such dangers, prompting discussions on better security protocols, training, and support for drivers who encounter dangerous situations.
For the driver involved in this incident, the traumatic encounter will likely have lasting effects. Victims of violent crimes often endure physical injuries as well as emotional scars, and the circumstances of this event were particularly harrowing. The alleged kidnapping, threats, and subsequent assault have undoubtedly left the victim shaken, highlighting the need for support systems to aid victims in coping with the aftermath of such violent encounters.
As for Milton, he now faces multiple charges related to the kidnapping and assault, as well as additional charges related to his past criminal activities. The charges include kidnapping, unlawful use of a firearm, first-degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, and armed criminal action. Given his criminal history, which includes previous encounters with law enforcement and an attempt to flee from a recent traffic stop, authorities are holding him without bond, ensuring he remains in custody as he awaits trial.
This case underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and swift intervention by law enforcement in incidents of kidnapping and violence. With the aid of witness statements and surveillance footage, authorities were able to build a strong case, allowing for a swift response to prevent further harm. It also raises questions about the challenges that rideshare drivers face and the need for greater attention to driver safety in an industry that often leaves workers isolated and vulnerable.
The Lyft driver’s brave actions during the ordeal activating the panic alarm and attempting to seek help despite the dangerous circumstances demonstrate the importance of quick thinking and the need for available resources for drivers. This incident serves as a critical reminder for the rideshare industry and law enforcement to work together in implementing better safety protocols, supporting victims, and preventing similar situations in the future.
