A man from Florida has been arrested and charged with an armed carjacking of a Lyft driver, after a harrowing ordeal that involved multiple stops and threats to the victim's life. The suspect, identified as Evandole Lusane, 21, was detained after police reviewed surveillance footage and found him using the victim's debit cards.
According to WPTV, the incident began last Thursday when the Lyft driver was sent for a pickup at 1071 Peak Road around 8 a.m. Not long after, at a stop sign shift, one of the passengers exited the car, leaving Lusane who then revealed a firearm and coerced the driver to head to a Bank of America. The ATM at this location was non-operational, forcing the driver and his captor to proceed to a second bank where the victim withdrew approximately $1,000.
The driver was later taken to a 7-Eleven, where Lusane took the keys to the car and briefly entered the store, only to resume the frightening journey to Hypoluxo Scrub Trail. It was here, with a gun against his neck, that the driver was threatened by Lusane who stated, "I know where you live. If you go to the police, I will kill you and your family," as CBS12 reported.
The suspect fled with the victim's car, wallet, and the withdrawn cash. Escaping the harrowing situation, the victim hopped over fences after being shoved from the car. Later that evening, Lusane was found by detectives at a Kwik Stop convenience store ATM where he attempted to hide but was eventually arrested. Found near the ATM were the victim's belongings including his cellphone, debit cards, credit card, and driver's license.
Lusane is now facing multiple charges including carjacking with a firearm, kidnapping, robbery with a firearm, and aggravated assault with a firearm. The swift response of the Boynton Beach detectives and the aid of surveillance technology were crucial in apprehending the perpetrator and recovering the victim's stolen items. The alleged carjacker is currently being held at the main Palm Beach County jail without bond.
