Police: A man calls an Uber driver a carjacker at gunpoint

Clayton, Missouri — An invitation to ride an Uber became scary after police said the rider kidnapped the driver and held him at gunpoint.

Now, 18-year-old Dejohn Colbert is facing criminal charges and many years behind bars. Colbert is being held in the county jail on a $200,000 cash bond only.

St. Louis County District Attorney Wesley Bell said the bail amount shows the seriousness of this crime.

“He was picking up what he thought was a passenger like a normal day’s work, and he was robbed and kidnapped,” Bell said.

Florissant police said Colbert and another person ordered an Uber. Once inside the vehicle, police said, Colbert held the driver at gunpoint and demanded his phone, wallet, and keys.

“When someone puts a gun to someone’s head or neck or any part of their body and takes their property in that way,” Bell said. Anything can happen, and we will not tolerate that. We will vigorously prosecute those cases.”

Officers said Colbert rammed the victim’s car after leading police in pursuit.

An Uber spokesperson said in a statement:

“What the driver is saying is horrifying, and we are in touch. We are grateful for the actions of the investigators in this case and stand ready to assist them in their investigation. The passenger’s accounts have been blocked.”

Bell said his office takes the matter very seriously. He said Colbert may consider spending the next 30 years in prison.

“He has the right to a fair trial. But at the end of the day, we have to hold individuals accountable, and as we see an uptick in such cases, it’s scary.”