Three convicted felons, who recently escaped a Georgia correctional facility, are back in custody after allegedly hijacking a rideshare vehicle and abducting its female driver for approximately ten hours. The perilous ordeal involved threats of violence and a cross-state flight from Georgia to Florida, culminating in the apprehension of Stevenson Charles, Yusuf Minor, and Naod Yohannes following a multi-agency manhunt. Federal authorities have now filed additional charges against the men, who were serving or awaiting trial for serious violent crimes, including murder.
The terrifying abduction began shortly after the three men broke out of the DeKalb County Jail on December 22. According to court documents, the escapees ordered a Lyft ride that evening, intending to travel to Florida. The unsuspecting driver was then subjected to a harrowing journey, during which she was reportedly bound, threatened with a rope around her neck, and warned of severe harm if she resisted their demands.
Investigations reveal that after their escape from the Atlanta-area jail, the trio initially received assistance from an unnamed individual before being taken to the residence of one of the inmates’ girlfriends. It was from this location, federal prosecutors allege, that Minor’s girlfriend arranged the Lyft ride. This detail suggests a degree of pre-planning and external support in the immediate aftermath of their jailbreak, facilitating their attempt to flee the state.
As the journey progressed towards Miami, the situation escalated dramatically. The criminal complaint details how the men allegedly restrained the driver’s hands and placed a rope around her neck, delivering repeated death threats. She was forcibly moved to the back seat, where the threats intensified to include sexual assault and torture, should she attempt to escape her captors. The driver later recounted to investigators that she endured this captivity for approximately ten hours.
During their flight, the escapees reportedly made use of the driver’s credit cards. They allegedly rented a short-term property in Miramar, Florida, a city situated about 25 miles north of Miami. This stop provided a temporary refuge, but also offered authorities a crucial lead in tracking their movements as they continued their desperate attempt to evade capture.
The group subsequently split, with Charles and Yohannes departing the rental property in the driver’s stolen vehicle, while Minor remained behind with the captive. Law enforcement, utilizing advanced license plate reader technology, swiftly detected the stolen car. This critical technological assist enabled federal prosecutors and local police to track down and apprehend Charles and Yohannes, leading to their immediate re-arrest.
A short time later, authorities located and arrested Minor at the Miramar rental property. Critically, the victim was discovered at the same location, safely brought out of her ordeal. While the full extent of any injuries sustained by the driver has not been publicly disclosed, a Lyft spokesperson later expressed relief that she was safe and offered support following the traumatic experience.
The three men now face federal kidnapping charges, adding to their already extensive criminal records. Yusuf Minor and Naod Yohannes were reportedly serving life sentences for murder at the time of their escape, while Stevenson Charles was being held on charges of murder and armed robbery. Their ability to break out of custody raises serious questions about the security protocols at the DeKalb County Jail.
DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox addressed reporters regarding the jailbreak, acknowledging significant issues with the facility. She described the Atlanta-area jail as “deteriorating right before our eyes,” indicating a systemic problem. Sheriff Maddox confirmed that the inmates managed to “compromise” a specific part of the building, which investigators and jail officials are now actively working to repair and reinforce.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson for Lyft expressed profound concern, stating the company was “relieved that the driver is safe.” The company has extended support to the driver and affirmed its commitment to cooperating fully with law enforcement as the investigation progresses. This incident underscores the inherent risks faced by rideshare drivers and the challenges of ensuring their safety in unforeseen circumstances.
The swift re-capture of the fugitives and the rescue of the driver mark a successful conclusion to a dangerous manhunt. Federal and local agencies collaborated effectively, leveraging technology and investigative resources to prevent further harm and bring the accused back into custody. The ongoing investigation will likely delve deeper into the specifics of the escape and any potential accomplices.
As legal proceedings move forward, the focus will shift to the additional charges faced by Charles, Minor, and Yohannes. The incident also puts a spotlight on correctional facility security and the measures needed to prevent such high-risk escapes in the future, particularly from jails housing individuals with serious violent crime histories.
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