A Washington, D.C. teenager was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly getting into a scuffle with a rideshare driver over a pet dog and carjacking the driver’s vehicle. The incident occurred when 19-year-old Dax Franco Willis attempted to bring a dog into the Uber vehicle, but the driver informed him that pets were not allowed. In response, Willis threatened to use pepper spray on the driver, leading to a physical altercation. He then dragged the driver from her vehicle, stole her phone, and fled in her car.
Following the incident, the Metropolitan Police Department released dashcam images of Willis in hopes that the public could help identify him. The next day, he was apprehended by D.C. Metro police and charged with unarmed carjacking and robbery.
Uber, the rideshare company involved, has a policy that requires drivers to accept passengers traveling with service animals. However, they are not obligated to allow non-service animals in their vehicles. Uber advises passengers to inform the driver if they plan to bring a pet that is not a service animal. Additionally, Uber offers a pet-friendly ride option called Uber Pet, which allows passengers to bring one pet for an additional fee.
Lawmakers and Capitol Hill staff have recently become victims of violent attacks. This incident adds to the concerning trend of violence against lawmakers and their staff. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, who was carjacked in Washington, D.C. earlier, emphasized the importance of supporting law enforcement in response to such incidents.
While Uber has not yet responded to inquiries regarding this specific carjacking, it is important to note that the rideshare company is cooperating with the investigation.
