Uber driver allegedly robbed at gunpoint in NJ, police say

Jackson police are asking for the public's help in tracking down three males who allegedly robbed an Uber driver at gunpoint after driving them from Manhattan to Jackson.

In a press release on the Jackson Police Department's Facebook page Monday, Capt. Steven Laskiewicz said that while on patrol Sunday in the area of the Forest Resource Education Center at about 2:15 p.m., Lt. John Giovanetti was "flagged down" by a man who said he had just been the victim of a robbery.

The victim, an Uber driver, told police he picked up three males in Manhattan and drove them to a home on Wilson Boulevard in Jackson. According to police, the driver said that once they arrived in the area off Don Connor Boulevard, one of the passengers was on his cell phone and appeared to be arranging a meeting.

"The victim then left the neighborhood without stopping at the residence and made a right turn onto Don Connor Boulevard, heading toward Bowman Road. At this time, the three suspects reportedly became agitated and one of them produced a handgun and began to yell at the victim," the press release stated.

As the passenger continued to yell, the driver pulled off the road into the Forest Resource Education Center. The suspects then stole the driver's cash and cell phone. They also stole his car keys, which they threw into the woods before getting into a red vehicle - possibly a Pontiac - that was being driven by another unknown person. The suspects fled the scene, heading toward Bowman Road.

According to authorities, the first suspect was identified as a black male in a black, hooded sweatshirt with an Adidas emblem. He was also carrying a backpack.

The second passenger, police said, was a black or Hispanic male in a red shirt. he was also said to be wearing a "shiny" black jacket and gray jeans.

The male suspect who the victim said was carrying a "gunmetal colored revolver" was described as a black male, about 6 feet tall. The driver said he was clean-shaven with short, curly hair. He was dressed in a tan jacket, white shirt, tan Timberland-style boots and blue jeans. Authorities say the victim believes the revolver was loaded.

Craig Ewer, a spokesman for Uber, said the company is willing to help with the investigation any way it can.

"We’re in touch with this driver and with law enforcement, to offer our support and to assist in the investigation any way we can," Ewer said.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Jackson Police Detective John Rodriguez at 732-928-1111.

Toniann Antonelli is the digital managing editor for news at NJ 101.5. Reach her at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.