Incident Overview

A 51-year-old rideshare driver was the victim of a violent carjacking in the early hours of March 23. The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Second Avenue near East 3rd Street in the Bowery neighborhood of Lower Manhattan.

While the driver was on a break, four masked individuals approached his Toyota Highlander SUV. Although they initially requested a ride, the situation escalated when one of the suspects brandished a firearm, forcing the driver to exit the vehicle.

Investigation and Vehicle Recovery

The suspects fled the scene in the stolen SUV, which featured Transportation and Limousine Commission (TLC) plates. While the specific rideshare platform the victim worked for has not been confirmed, the vehicle was eventually tracked to Newark, New Jersey, where it was recovered by authorities.

The suspects were not present when the vehicle was located. The NYPD is currently conducting a thorough investigation, which includes analyzing surveillance footage and processing the vehicle for forensic evidence to identify the perpetrators.

Public Assistance Requested

The NYPD has released video footage of the suspects entering a local bodega. The video shows the individuals with their faces obscured by black sweatshirt hoods, and one suspect is seen carrying a backpack.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in the investigation. Tips can be reported via the following channels:

  • English Hotline: 1-800-577-TIPS (8477)
  • Spanish Hotline: 1-888-57-PISTA (74782)

The police department is also increasing patrols and strengthening partnerships with local businesses to enhance security and prevent similar incidents in the future.