Suspect carjacks an Uber, leaves driver on I-75

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office says a man is in jail in Manatee County this morning after he used a ruse to steal his Uber driver’s vehicle in Charlotte County on Wednesday evening.

Andrew Sullivan, 37, was located near the vehicle in Manatee County shortly after the driver reported the theft to Charlotte County deputies.

Charlotte County deputies responded to I-75 near exit 164 at approximately 6:15pm after receiving a 911 call from the victim. The victim, an Uber driver, advised he picked up the suspect from a treatment center in Fort Myers with the intention of transporting him to a treatment center in Plant City.

As they approached the exit, Sullivan indicated he was going to be sick, causing the driver to pull over on the interstate. During the time that Sullivan was getting sick on the side of the road, the driver stepped out of the vehicle to check on him and help him back in the car.

The Uber driver placed Sullivan in the back seat of his vehicle, and then began to walk to the driver’s door. During that time, Sullivan jumped to the front seat and drove away in the vehicle, leaving the Uber driver stranded on the interstate. The Uber driver was able to flag down a passing driver and obtain a ride to the next exit (Exit 170). He also called 911 to report the theft.

Charlotte County deputies alerted surrounding agencies of the vehicle theft and provided the description of Sullivan. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle a short time later at the intersection of I-75 and SR64. Sullivan was also located near the vehicle.

Sullivan was arrested and is charged with Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle. He is in custody in Manatee County. The vehicle was recovered undamaged.