A woman caused a major disruption at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on Sunday when she allegedly stole an Uber driver’s car because she felt they were “driving too slow.” The incident resulted in delays for travelers during the busy Thanksgiving weekend. The woman, identified as Neusha Alexandra Afkami, 27, was arrested and now faces charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
According to court documents obtained by Fox 7 Austin, Afkami had hired an Uber driver to take her to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. However, during the ride, she became increasingly frustrated with the driver’s perceived slow driving. At one point, she grabbed the driver’s phone and threw it out the window, prompting the driver to stop and retrieve it.
While the driver was outside the car, Afkami took control of the vehicle and drove away, leaving the driver stranded. Fortunately, the police were notified and were able to locate the abandoned car in front of a terminal at the airport. Afkami was apprehended before she could board her flight.
During questioning, Afkami claimed that she and the Uber driver were arguing about the duration of the drive. She stated that she needed to get to the airport quickly, so she decided to take the driver’s car and drop it off at Southwest Airlines.
In addition to stealing the car, Afkami also took the driver’s wallet and used the credit card inside to make purchases totaling nearly $130 at a store within the airport. All the items bought with the stolen card were found in Afkami’s possession.
Afkami has been charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and has been booked into the Travis County Jail on a $16,000 bond. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks faced by rideshare drivers and the importance of passenger-driver communication.
Overall, this incident highlights the need for better understanding and respect between passengers and drivers in the rideshare industry.
