3 Drivers Using The Same Ridesharing App In BC Got Carjacked & It Sounds Terrifying

There have been four carjackings in five days and three of them have targeted drivers from the same ridesharing app used in Burnaby, B.C.

In all four of the carjacking incidents, police said that a "weapon was brandished."

The Burnaby RCMP released a statement with information on the incidents, and said that "three of the four incidents targeted drivers from an unlicensed Chinese ridesharing app."

Luckily, none of the victims of the carjackings were injured, even though a knife and a gun were used as a threat.

The first incident was on February 13. Police said that a rideshare driver was called to Spruce St. for a pickup. Then two suspects "claimed to be police officers before stealing the vehicle," police said.

They were described as two teenagers, and police said that they pulled out a knife at the driver.

The suspects in this incident were described as 16-year-old Black men.

The second incident happened on February 15 at about 3 p.m. when a suspect "brandished a gun and attempted to steal a vehicle with a driver still inside in a garage near Burford Street and Griffiths Avenue."

In this case, the suspect did not successfully steal the car and instead fled the area. The driver was not a rideshare driver in this incident.

The third incident was also on February 15, but later at night, at approximately 11.30 p.m.

Police said that "a suspect once again targeted a rideshare vehicle that was stopping to pick up a customer near Kingsway Avenue and Britton Street."

In this case, a knife was again brandished at the driver and the suspects said that they were police.

The last incident was on February 17 when a rideshare driver was going to a pickup. The suspect pulled out a knife and stole the car.

"Shortly after, the stolen Mercedes was involved in a hit and run crash that damaged a parked vehicle. Witnesses reported the suspect fleeing into a waiting SUV with several other people inside," police added.

The suspect in the latest three incidents was described as a slim build Black man between 20 and 30 years old.

Cpl. Mike Kalanj said that investigators believe these four incidents are connected, but the motive is not yet known.

They added that drivers from all rideshare apps should be cautious.

Police asked that anyone with information call Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999, and quote file number 22-5696.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.