Woman escapes kidnapping attempt by jitney driver, police say

A jitney driver picked up a woman but didn't take her where she wanted to go, keeping her inside the car.

A woman told police she contacted a jitney through a Facebook page.

She wanted to go from McKeesport to Bloomfield, but said she ended up near a gas station on William Penn Highway in Wilkins Township.

TRENDING NOW:

• Mother charged after children found in deplorable conditions at Mt. Oliver home
• Police charge Pittsburgh teacher with possessing drug paraphernalia
• Racist podcast leads to Beaver County native's removal from Florida classroom
• VIDEO: Statewide shortage of medical marijuana causes local dispensary to close

She told police she repeatedly asked the driver where they were, where they were going and to let her out, but that he kept the doors locked.

She eventually got the door open and ran to two women walking nearby.

Police are now looking for the driver. We blurred his face because he has not been charged, but police tell us they have consulted with the district attorney’s office and are considering charges of attempted kidnapping, false imprisonment and unlawful restraint.

“It is surprising and I think people should use Uber or something else where there’s more authentication on who’s picking you up. More security? Absolutely,” said Ray Edwards, of Monreoville.

Police said they believe her story and will be trying to find the driver, but they have so far been unsuccessful.

Cox Media Group