by Atlanta, Georgia — What began as a daring early-morning jailbreak in metro Atlanta quickly escalated into a terrifying, hours-long kidnapping that crossed state lines, after three escaped inmates allegedly held a Lyft driver hostage while fleeing to Florida, authorities say.
The suspects — Yusuf Minor, Noad Yohannes, and Stevenson Charles — were all being held at the DeKalb County Jail when they allegedly escaped early Monday morning.
Escape From Jail Went Undetected for Hours
According to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, the inmates managed to break out of the jail in the early hours of Monday. Their absence was not discovered until later in the day during a routine security check, allowing them valuable time to flee.
Investigators say the trio was picked up by a waiting vehicle near the jail and taken to the residence of Minor’s girlfriend in the Atlanta area. Court documents indicate that from there, the escape took a far more dangerous turn.
Lyft Driver Allegedly Targeted and Taken Hostage
Authorities allege that Minor’s girlfriend ordered a Lyft ride for the escapees. The driver, an unidentified woman, reportedly believed she was completing a normal ride request.
After driving the men to the requested Atlanta location, prosecutors say the situation turned violent. The suspects allegedly strangled the driver with a rope, tied her up, and forced her into the back seat of her own vehicle.
With the driver restrained, the escapees allegedly took control of the car and began their interstate flight toward Florida.
Victim Endured Threats and Failed Escape Attempt
Court documents describe a harrowing journey in which the Lyft driver remained bound in the back seat while the suspects issued repeated threats, leaving her in constant fear for her life.
At one point during a stop in Florida, the woman attempted to escape but was unsuccessful. After that failed attempt, investigators say the men’s threats became more violent, escalating the danger of the situation.
Authorities later emphasized that the driver was completely uninjured physically, but officials say the psychological impact has been severe.
“As you can imagine, the Lyft driver is very traumatized by this,” an official said.
All Three Suspects Were Facing Violent Charges
The three escapees were already in custody for serious crimes at the time of the jailbreak:
- Stevenson Charles, 24, was being held on murder charges and attempted robbery
- Yusuf Minor, 31, was wanted for armed robbery and firearm possession during a felony
- Noad Yohannes, 25, was jailed on charges including simple assault, arson, and unlawful acts of violence in a penal institution
Investigators say their criminal histories elevated concerns during the manhunt.
Florida Stop Leads to Break in the Case
After hours on the road, authorities allege the suspects stopped in Miramar, Florida, where they used the Lyft driver’s credit cards to pay for a short-term rental home.
That transaction triggered a critical break in the investigation. Officials were able to flag the suspicious charge and connect the driver’s vehicle to the jailbreak and kidnapping using license plate readers.
Florida police attempted a felony traffic stop, but the driver of the vehicle sped away.
Read Also: Trans Instructor Fired After Student Claims Religious Discrimination Over Gender Essay
Chase, Gun Discovery, and Arrests
At the time of the attempted stop, only Charles and Yohannes were in the vehicle. Authorities say the pair eventually abandoned the car and fled on foot.
During the escape, Charles allegedly obtained a loaded 9mm handgun, according to court records. Despite that, both men were later captured by police.
Meanwhile, officers traced the rental home where Minor remained with the kidnapped driver. After initially receiving no response, police made contact with Minor through an open window and ordered him to surrender.
The Lyft driver exited the residence unharmed, followed closely by Minor, who surrendered without incident.
All Three Now in Florida Jail
Charles, Minor, and Yohannes are currently being held at the Broward County Jail. Authorities say they are expected to face multiple additional charges, including kidnapping, carjacking, and escape-related offenses.
All three suspects are listed on hold for the U.S. Marshals Service, though officials have not yet confirmed when they will be extradited back to Georgia.
Investigation Continues
Law enforcement agencies in both Georgia and Florida continue to investigate how the escape occurred and whether others may have assisted the inmates.
Officials say the case highlights the risks faced by rideshare drivers and underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation during multi-state manhunts.
Do you think rideshare companies should add more safety protections for drivers after incidents like this? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
