A driver escaped after investigators say a passenger pulled a handgun and ordered him to keep driving
Gaithersburg, Md. — What began as a routine Lyft pickup in Silver Spring turned into an alleged armed kidnapping when a passenger pulled a handgun on the driver and ordered him to keep driving, according to Montgomery County police.
Detectives with the Montgomery County Department of Police’s 3rd District Investigative Section said 28-year-old Alexander Cleveland Hailey, of White Oak, has been arrested and charged in connection with the May 24 incident.
Investigators said Hailey entered the Lyft and then allegedly displayed a handgun, ordering the driver to continue driving.
The driver managed to stop the vehicle and flee in the 8500 block of Piney Branch Road, police said.
According to investigators, Hailey then got out of the vehicle and left the area, but allegedly left behind items that provided evidence in the case.
As the investigation continued, detectives identified Hailey as a suspect and obtained an arrest warrant on May 28 charging him with first-degree assault, kidnapping and related offenses.
Police said Hailey was located and arrested the following day, May 29, in the 8400 block of Colesville Road in Silver Spring.
He was taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit and charged in connection with the alleged assault and kidnapping.
Court records did not immediately indicate whether Hailey has retained an attorney.
Key Points
- Police say a Lyft passenger pulled a handgun on a driver and ordered him to continue driving in Silver Spring.
- The driver escaped after stopping the vehicle in the 8500 block of Piney Branch Road.
- Alexander Cleveland Hailey, 28, was arrested and charged with kidnapping, first-degree assault and related offenses.