A recent incident in Texas has raised serious concerns about passenger safety in rideshare services. A 49-year-old rideshare driver from Houston has been arrested and charged with Aggravated Kidnapping after allegedly ending a trip early and stopping in an empty parking lot while his passenger was asleep.
What Happened on the Night of the Incident?
The case came to light on June 28, when a 21-year-old woman booked a pre-scheduled rideshare ride from Galveston to her home in Friendswood. She had been drinking earlier in the evening and was feeling sleepy during the ride.
While the woman was still in the car, her family members were tracking her location using a mobile app. To their shock, they noticed that the driver had ended the ride before reaching the final destination. The ride stopped at an abandoned business parking lot instead of their home.
Family Took Immediate Action
The woman’s family didn’t waste any time. They went straight to the parking lot and found her sitting in the front seat of the car. She was safe but was unaware of what had happened. Her family immediately removed her from the vehicle and took her home.
What the Investigation Revealed
After looking into the matter, the Friendswood Police Department found that the driver had ended the ride on purpose before reaching the correct address. Based on the investigation, the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for the driver’s arrest.
The driver was identified as Sameh Chami, a 49-year-old resident of Houston.
Arrest and Immigration Action
On August 6, the Friendswood Police arrested Chami in Houston. He was then taken to the Friendswood City Jail. After his arrest, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a detainer on him due to issues related to his immigration status.
What This Means for Rideshare Users
This incident has made people more aware of the risks involved in using rideshare services, especially during late-night hours. It also shows the importance of family and friends tracking rides in real-time, which helped prevent a worse situation in this case.
This shocking case highlights the importance of safety for passengers using rideshare apps. If you’re using one, make sure someone close to you is aware of your journey, especially late at night or if you’ve been drinking.
Always double-check the driver’s information and don’t hesitate to cancel a ride if something feels off. Authorities have taken serious action in this case, reminding everyone that crimes like these will not be taken lightly.
