Sheriff’s search for man who robbed and beat Lyft driver in South El Monte
A Lyft driver was pistol-whipped and robbed at a gas station in South El Monte, video from the driver’s dashboard camera shows, and authorities Friday are investigating.
The attack occurred about 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday at the Arco station at Rush Street and Rosemead Boulevard, according to the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.
In a video released Thursday, the robbery and beating were captured on the driver’s dashboard camera. The video shows a man in the car’s back seat wearing a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball cap and holding a handgun. The man is seen arguing with the driver for more than one minute.
The robber demanded money and then grabbed the driver’s cellphone. He then apparently tried to get the driver to leave the car so he could steal it, but the driver persuaded him not to do that, ABC7 reported.
The driver eventually handed over his wallet, which held $1,560, ABC7 said, quoting the driver’s family. Twice during the robbery the man hit the driver in the face with a gun, leaving him with a bruised and bloody nose, according to ABC7.
Anyone with information on the incident was asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at 323-890-5500. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.