Rogue Uber Driver that Screwed with the Wrong Rider…..Give Me My #$@%
It all started when I volunteered to make the office coffee run to Starbucks and called an Uber. Surprisingly it was the same gentleman that drove me to the office. After arriving at the Starbucks, I offered the Uber driver $5 to wait and take me right back to the office and he agreed. After leaving the Starbucks, I discovered that the uber driver had driven off with my cell phone and work badge and never returned.
Attempt to Contact the Driver
Upon hailing a cab and returning to the office, I contacted the driver through the “I lost an Item” feature in the Uber application on my laptop. To no avail, no answer. As a matter of fact, Uber stated that they had made several attempts and yet again, no response for the rest of the day.
24 Hours Later
Washington DC Police Department
After a sleepless night, I went to the Washington DC Police Department, where the officers took me as a joke. Never asked me where the situation occurred, nor did they even take the drivers tag information. They suggested that I contact Uber and wished me good luck. The real travesty was that the police department didn’t even have wifi and I had to walk five blocks back to my hotel since I couldn’t call Uber on my Ipad.
On my walk back, I decided to ask an officer parked on the street if the main office had given me the right information and he stated that since the incident happen in Maryland, that’s where I needed to go to file a police report.
Prince George County- Greenbelt Police Department
After getting frustrated and giving up, a good friend encouraged me to go to the Green Belt police department which is the district where I left my cell. After arriving I finally got an officer that gave a DAMN about my situation and went completely out of his way to leave a personal voicemail for the Uber driver. Let’s just say….I got the driver’s home address.
At the Uber Driver’s House
After calling another Uber driver, Victor arrived and asked about my day. I told him what had happen but that I have a home address. He replied, “Home address, do you want to go by there?” That was like music to my ears. I responded, “Sir, I would really appreciate that” and off we went.
When I arrived, I immediately spotted the Toyota Rav 4 that I left my phone in. I confirmed the plates and headed to the door. I went to the apartment building door and a resident answered and stated that Abraham is his neighbor and that he was not home however, he would give him the letter that I wrote stating who I was and that the police have been notified.
Moments later Abraham approached the car, nervous and shaky. I commanded that he produce my cell phone and badge. After about 30 seconds before I jumped on him literally, he produced my phone which had been factory reset and the memory card was removed. He attempted to explain and even tried to sit in the car with me. After flipping out, I slammed the car door and told Victor to DRIVE!
Uber
After arriving back at the hotel, I sent Uber a response to them telling me to remain patient. Frustrated that I had to become a detective to recover my property. Most people would never do something like this but I was going on the principle that I work hard for my things and I’m not going to let some “Knuckle Head” five finger discount me. Now it will be 10-15 years before I ever do this again but would I…..Yep without a doubt!!
