PORTLAND, Ore. — A Lyft driver told police he was carjacked and robbed at gunpoint in downtown Portland while waiting for riders to request a trip early Thursday morning.
The robbery happened near Southwest 2nd Avenue and Washington Street, according to Portland police. Ragib — who didn't want to use his last name because of safety concerns — said he was waiting in a parking lot when two men and a woman in a car slammed on the brakes in front of his VW Tiguan, then jumped out and demanded that he give them his keys.
"She said, 'Give them the keys, give them the keys or they will kill you. They will shoot you,'" Ragib said. "Then the guy said, 'I will shoot you.'"
Initially, Ragib said he tried to defend himself by pushing one of them away. However, he said one of them flashed what appeared to be a silver gun. Then, outside his vehicle, Ragib said the suspects punched and kicked him, then chased him with their car until he surrendered not only his car, but also his phone. He ran down the street to try to find help.
"I just got to the convenience store and tried to get help," he said through tears. "No one cares. That's the problem ... why?"
Police officers attempted to track down Ragib's car and the suspects, but they got away. Ragib said the car has Oregon license plates that read "440 PAQ."
Portland police confirmed that detectives with the Major Crimes Team are looking into the possibility that the suspects could be responsible for other robberies.
This is a developing story and it may be updated when more information becomes available.