Lyft driver kidnapped, held at knife-point in Columbus, officials say

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - According to Columbus Police Department, a kidnapping incident involving a Lyft driver and a passenger occurred Tuesday evening.

Authorities say officers responded to Veterans Pkwy. and Hancock Rd. Tuesday evening around 8:06p.m. regarding a kidnapping. According to CPD the Lyft driver picked up the suspect, 46-year-old Justin Dean Pulley from a local hotel on Armour Rd.

Pulley allegedly refused to get out of the victim’s car at the designation he requested through the app, then proceeded to hold the victim at knife point. He is currently in custody.

“Safety is fundamental to Lyft,” said a company spokesperson. “We have permanently banned the rider’s account from the Lyft platform, contacted the driver to offer our support, and stand ready to assist law enforcement with any investigation.”