Hazelwood, MO- A man from Missouri is in custody following accusations of kidnapping a Lyft driver at gunpoint, forcing her to drive to a Denny’s, where he assaulted her with a firearm.
On October 24, in Hazelwood, Anthony Milton boarded a Lyft, and the driver transported him to his requested destination, as detailed in a probable cause arrest affidavit. However, upon arrival, Milton reportedly declined to exit the vehicle and brandished a firearm.
According to the affidavit, he compelled her to take him to a different location but once more declined to exit the vehicle.
Milton reportedly forced the victim to accompany him to a Denny’s restaurant, insisting she enter with him to stop her from reaching out to law enforcement. The victim, in a desperate attempt to escape, triggered a panic alarm on her phone and sought refuge in the bathroom to distance herself from Milton.
However, it is claimed that Milton entered after her and struck her in the head with a firearm. He subsequently exited the restaurant, as surveillance footage recorded parts of the event.
St. Louis Authorities in Collinsville, Ill., took Milton into custody on Thursday, as reported by CBS affiliate KMOV. He is currently dealing with legal issues in Illinois, which include armed violence, battery, and various firearm-related offenses.
Detectives from Hazelwood police conducted an interview with Milton regarding the accusations made against the Lyft driver. According to the affidavit, he acknowledged being the individual in the Lyft and visiting Denny’s, but asserted that it was the victim who drew him into the bathroom. Contrary to what was claimed, both witnesses and the surveillance footage tell a different story.
Milton, who has a criminal record, is now confronted with serious allegations including kidnapping, illegal firearm use, first-degree assault, unlawful firearm possession, and multiple counts of armed criminal activity.
In September, he was taken into custody in St. Louis County following a police pursuit that began during a traffic stop, according to records. He remains in custody with no possibility of bail.