Police arrested a man suspected of robbing a Lyft driver and trying to steal his vehicle Saturday morning in the Gaslamp District.
It happened at 3 a.m. in the 800 block of Sixth Avenue as the Lyft driver was walking to his car, said San Diego Police Officer Tony Martinez.
The 23-year-old Lyft driver was opening his car door when the suspect approached him from behind, Martinez said.
Anthony Hernandez, age 28, asked the victim if he wanted to buy a phone. When the Lyft driver said no, he allegedly pushed the victim into his car and demanded he hand over his cell phone and wallet, according to police.
Hernandez told the Lyft Driver he had a knife and threatened to kill him if he failed to comply with his demands. After the victim gave Hernandez his wallet and phone, the suspect pushed him into the vehicle and ordered him to put the car key in the ignition. The victim started doing as he was told, Martinez said.
But that’s when the victim was able to escape, taking his car key and running away. He then flagged down San Diego Police bike officers who were patrolling nearby. The suspect ran off but was caught about a half block away by a group of off-duty security guards, Martinez said.
Officers took Hernandez into police custody, and the victim was not injured. The Lyft Driver’s identity was not released.
Hernandez was arrested and booked into the San Diego Central jail on three suspected felony charges including carjacking, robbery and making death threats.
He is being held on a bail of $75,000 for the attempted carjacking.
City News Service contributed to this article.
