ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — A woman is facing a kidnapping charge after police say she held a taxi driver at knife-point and forced him to take her to the Pittsburgh International Airport.
Allegheny County Police announced charges against Mya Owens, 26, of Mt. Oliver on Monday night.
Police said an officer patrolling at the Pittsburgh International Airport was approached by a visibly distraught man at around 12:44 p.m. on Monday.
The man said he was a taxi driver who had a woman as his passenger who threatened him with a knife.
Police said the driver was able to point the passenger out to the officer, who confronted her.
The officer was able to identify the woman as Owens.
Through their investigation, police say they learned that the driver picked Owens and her daughter up at a hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh.
They say Owens then brought out a large kitchen knife, threatened the driver and demanded that he take her to the airport.
Police said a camera inside the vehicle captured the incident.
The knife was still sitting in the back seat of the taxi.
Owens is charged with kidnapping, unlawful restraint, terroristic threats and corruption of minors. She is now being held at the Allegheny County Jail.
We spoke with flyers at Pittsburgh International Airport on Tuesday, who couldn’t believe what led up to Owens’ arrest.
“She’s not a good mother figure. I’ll tell you that much,” said William Matthews of Minnesota. “She’s gotta work on some personal development for sure and maybe spend some time behind bars.”
“I’m so glad that they got her quick and that no one was hurt,” said Josie Calderone.
People said they were grateful to see several law enforcement officers at the airport.
“It’s really scary in the world today. You don’t know what’s going to happen and where it’s going to happen,” said Lisa Walhof of Wisconsin.
“It is good to know the authorities were on top of it,” said Emily Calderone.
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