“As fear and worry began to take over, she frantically started texting her friends about what was going on,” police said regarding the incident. The victim had ordered a ride outside a Pioneer Square bar on 1st Avenue South before entering a white four-door sedan driven by an unidentified man between 30 and 50 years old.
Pioneer Square Pickup And Route Deviation
The sequence began when the victim left a Pioneer Square establishment and requested a rideshare service via her mobile app. A white four-door sedan pulled up, and when the woman asked if the driver was there for her pickup, the man answered in the affirmative without prompting her to check his name or license plate. She climbed into the backseat, but panic set in shortly afterward. The driver relied on Google Maps rather than the official rideshare platform.
Escape Near Kent Des Moines Road
The vehicle eventually took exit 156 toward Kent and navigated through three intersections before stopping at a red traffic light. Investigators contacted the Real Time Crime Center for surveillance footage of the escape, but local Seattle Police Department cameras in the area were inoperable at the time.
Investigation And Public Safety Appeals
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information about the white sedan or the male suspect to contact the Seattle Police Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206)-233-5000. In response to the incident, the police department released specific guidance for passengers utilizing app-based transportation. Authorities recommend waiting in well-lit areas, traveling with a companion, and confirming both the driver’s identity and license plate against app data before entering any vehicle. Riders should also share trip details, including departure location, vehicle description, and estimated arrival times, with trusted contacts.
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