DETROIT (WWJ) -- Detectives are asking for tips from the public as they search for a group of suspects in a series of violent crimes targeting rideshare drivers in Detroit.
Police want to speak to a man, seen in suvelience photos released by the Detroit Police Department, about three attacks on people working for Uber or Lyft — all taking place this month on the city's west side.
Police released an additional suspect photo on Monday, as the search continues for those responsible for these attacks.
In the first reported in incident on Feb. 4, police said a 30-year-old female driver picked up four people — three men and one woman — at around 2:30 a.m., in the area of Dexter and Davison.
At one point during the ride, the man sitting behind the driver placed an object around the victim’s neck, "attempted to strangle her," and demanded that she get out of the car, according to police.
The suspects then drove away in the victim's 2018 gray Ford Focus, which police said was later recovered.
The second, very similar incident happened at around 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 10, in the area of Linwood and Davison.
This time police said a 40-year-old man working as a rideshare driver picked up three men and two women.
After they drover a few blocks, police said a suspect in the backseat tried to strangle the driver. That's when another suspect got out of the car and pointed a gun at the driver, demanding the vehicle.
The suspects then drove off in the victim's 2021 white Toyota Venza, which was later recovered.
Police said the third incident happened just after 2 a.m. on Feb. 12, again in the area of Dexter and Davison.
A 58-year-old man working for a rideshare company picked up two young men who got into the backseat of the victim's 2017 Chevy Malibu.
Shortly into the trip, police said one of the suspect put something around the driver's neck.
This time, however, the victim fought the suspects off and they ran away.
On Monday, the DPD said detectives were still searching for the suspects, and that they want to speak with a "person of interest" who tried to use one of the victims' credit cards.
He is described as a male wearing a puffy black jacket, black hooded sweatshirt, black pants with white stripes, tan tennis shoes, and a multi-colored “Jordan” backpack.
Anyone who recognizes the person of interest, or who has any information about these crimes, should call the DPD's Commercial Auto Theft Unit at 313-596-2555, or the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-800-Speak Up (800-773-2587).
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