Rideshare Driver Carjacked at Gunpoint in NYC's Bowery

Four masked suspects forced the 51-year-old driver out of his Toyota Highlander SUV before fleeing to Newark, New Jersey.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:51pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a car key fob against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A carjacking victim's key fob lies discarded, a stark reminder of the dangers facing gig economy workers in the city.Newark Today

A 51-year-old rideshare driver was carjacked at gunpoint by four masked individuals in New York City's Bowery neighborhood. The suspects approached the driver's Toyota Highlander SUV around 1:30 a.m. on March 23 and demanded a ride, but when the driver refused, one of the suspects flashed a gun and forced the driver out of the vehicle. The suspects then drove off in the SUV, which was later recovered in Newark, New Jersey, but the suspects remain at large.

Why it matters

Carjackings have been on the rise in major cities across the U.S., with rideshare drivers being particularly vulnerable targets. This incident highlights the risks faced by gig economy workers and the need for improved safety measures and law enforcement response to address this growing problem.

The details

According to police, the 51-year-old rideshare driver was on a break around 1:30 a.m. on March 23 when the four masked suspects approached his Toyota Highlander SUV on Second Avenue near East 3rd Street in the Bowery. The suspects asked the driver for a ride, but when he refused, one of them displayed a gun and forced the driver out of the vehicle. The suspects then drove off in the SUV, which had TLC (Taxi and Limousine Commission) plates, though it was unclear if the driver worked for a specific rideshare company.

  • The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on March 23, 2026.
  • The stolen Toyota Highlander SUV was later recovered in Newark, New Jersey, but the suspects remain at large.

The players

51-year-old rideshare driver

The victim of the carjacking, who was on a break when the incident occurred.

Four masked suspects

The individuals who approached the driver's vehicle, demanded a ride, and then carjacked the vehicle at gunpoint.

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What’s next

The NYPD is actively investigating the incident and searching for the four suspects. Anyone with information about the carjacking is encouraged to contact the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline.

The takeaway

This carjacking highlights the growing risks faced by gig economy workers, particularly rideshare drivers, and the need for improved safety measures and law enforcement response to address this issue in major cities.