Lyft driver gropes 16-year-old and asks if she'll ‘kiss and tell,' WA cops say
Martin Njoki, 43, from Kenya, was charged Monday, April 14, with indecent liberties and unlawful imprisonment with a sexual motivation enhancement, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
'The behavior described is reprehensible and has no place in the Lyft community or society. We immediately banned the driver from the Lyft platform and reached out to the ride requester to offer support as soon as we became aware of the situation. We are also assisting law enforcement with their investigation,' a Lyft spokesperson told McClatchy News by email April 16.
The incident was reported to police at 4:39 a.m. on Feb. 17, the Bellevue Police Department said in a probable cause statement.
The teenage girl sneaked out of her house in Bellevue and took a Lyft to her 18-year-old boyfriend's house in SeaTac, police said.
SeaTac is about a 20-mile drive south from Bellevue.
The boyfriend called her a Lyft back home and watched her get into the car, he told police.
The teen girl told police she opened the front door of the car, but there were items in the seat, so she tried to sit in the back.
The driver moved the items and told her to sit in the front, so she did, police said.
The girl and driver spoke for most of the ride, but as they got near her home, Njoki told her he liked her and asked, 'Do you kiss and tell?' according to the documents.
Njoki asked if he could kiss her, and the teen told him she had a boyfriend, to which he responded, 'But you don't kiss and tell,' police said.
He then forced her to touch his crotch and grabbed her arm and groped her when she tried to leave, according to the documents.
She called her boyfriend crying, and he reported the assault to police, authorities said.
Lyft suspended Njoki's account 'due to allegations relating to touching a passenger in a sexual manner without consent,' police said in the probable cause statement.
He emailed Lyft and told the company he didn't touch the teen but she had gotten 'annoyed with me because I didn't let them sit upfront,' the court documents said.
Njoki is in the U.S. on a work visa, and his pregnant wife and five children live in Kenya, police said.
He is in jail and his bail is set at $150,000.
His next court date is April 24.
Bellevue is about a 10-mile drive east from Seattle.
Uber driver trying to 'beat' yellow light crashes and injures passengers, AZ cops say
61-year-old Uber driver gropes woman after she ends call with sister, PA official says
Man lures 13-year-old he met on TikTok to his apartment 300 miles away, PA cops say
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
6 minutes ago
- New York Post
Parents allegedly ditch their 10-year-old at airport — jetting off to vacation without him: ‘Completely surreal'
As mom and dad prepped for takeoff, their kid was left as a castoff. An unnamed mother and father allegedly abandoned a 10-year-old boy at an unidentified airport in Spain after realizing they didn't pack all of the tot's necessary travel documents. Unwilling to miss their flight, the jet-setters boarded the airbus, leaving their son in the airport terminal, where a family member would eventually — hopefully — retrieve him. Advertisement 3 A whistleblower on social media blasted parents for allegedly leaving their 10-year-old son in the airport while they caught a flight. Michael – '[The kid] told [police] that his parents were on the plane, on their way to their home country for vacation,' said Lilian, a purported air-operations coordinator at the plane station where the incident occurred. She detailed the chaos to over 320,000 TikTok viewers. Her claims, however, have not yet been verified. Advertisement 'The explanation given to [the authorities] was that the child was traveling with an expired passport from Spain, and needed a travel visa,' said Lilian, speaking Spanish in the clip. 'Since he didn't have a visa, they left the kid in the terminal and called a relative to pick him up.' 'I didn't see it as normal,' she noted. 'The police didn't see it as normal either.' 3 Lilina, who claims to be an airport staffer, labeled the boy's abandonment one of the most 'surreal' experiences she's had while on the job. TikTok. Sure, most airlines allow children to fly alone — but leaving an unaccompanied minor alone in the airport just doesn't fly with most people worldwide. Advertisement Still, accidents do happen. A couple in Germany forgot their five-year-old daughter at Berlin's Stuttgart Airport back in 2018, claiming they'd each thought the other parent had taken charge of the girl. More recently, an unattended two-year-old was swept away on a luggage conveyor belt at New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport in late May. 3 Lilian claims the boy's parents did not have the proper travel documents for him, but didn't want to miss the flight to their home country for vacation. New Africa – Advertisement But Lilian, a mother of a now-adult daughter, says the abandonment of the 10-year-old boy was the most 'surreal' situation she's ever experienced as an airport employee. 'Hallucinating?' she questioned of the kid's folks. 'I'm an air traffic controller, and as a controller, I've seen a lot of things, but this has been completely surreal,' Lilian groaned. 'I'm amazed to think how parents could possibly leave their ten-year-old son at the terminal because he can't travel due to documentation issues.' She continued giving the unidentified dopes a harsh tongue lashing for putting their son's safety at risk. 'They call a relative, who might take half an hour, an hour or three hours, and they calmly board the flight and leave the child behind,' she spat. 'As a mother, I'd freak out.' Lilian reported that airport cops ultimately removed the parents' luggage from the flight and brought the pair to the on-site police station for questioning. It's unclear whether the boy's parents were arrested.
CNN
8 hours ago
- CNN
Harris gives Colbert her first interview since losing election
Harris gives Colbert her first interview since losing election Former Vice President Kamala Harris reflected on her decision not to pursue a gubernatorial run in California, citing systemic dysfunction, while speaking in an interview on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." 00:44 - Source: CNN Vertical Trending Now 17 videos Harris gives Colbert her first interview since losing election Former Vice President Kamala Harris reflected on her decision not to pursue a gubernatorial run in California, citing systemic dysfunction, while speaking in an interview on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." 00:44 - Source: CNN New research reveals origin of potatoes Scientists traced the lineage of potatoes to a wild genetic fusion about 9 million years ago between a tomato ancestor and a tuberless plant. 01:07 - Source: CNN Blake Lively to be deposed against Justin Baldoni Blake Lively is set to be deposed Thursday in her legal battle against Justin Baldoni. 00:24 - Source: CNN Amusement park ride splits in half in Saudi Arabia At least 23 people were injured, three of them critically, when a fairground ride buckled in Saudi Arabia, sending passengers crashing to the ground, according to state media. 00:33 - Source: CNN Dozens injured on Delta flight Severe turbulence struck a Delta flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam Wednesday, causing service carts and unbelted passengers to hit the ceiling and forcing an emergency landing in Minnesota, where 25 people on board were taken to hospitals. 01:01 - Source: CNN Arrest made in Arkansas hiking murders A man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of a married couple attacked and killed while hiking with their two young daughters at a state park in the Ozark Mountains, according to the Arkansas State Police. 00:45 - Source: CNN Crypto attack on OnlyFans streamer caught on camera Several crypto investors, including streamer and content creator Kaitlyn 'Amouranth' Siragusa, have been targeted in a series of violent attacks by gangs attempting to access their crypto wallets. Blockchain intelligence firms believe that the perceived anonymity and irreversibility of crypto transactions make investors an attractive target. 02:05 - Source: CNN High Noon recalls vodka seltzer mislabeled as Celsius High Noon has issued a voluntary recall after mislabeling some of its vodka seltzer as Celsius energy drinks. The FDA says no adverse events or illnesses have been reported. 00:55 - Source: CNN Jet2 holiday singer speaks out after White House uses meme British singer Jess Glynne responded to the White House's decision to use the viral TikTok sound, which includes her 2015 song "Hold My Hand" and Jet2's commercial. Glynne criticized the White House for using the audio to show the ongoing mass deportations in the United States. 01:10 - Source: CNN Fans pay tribute as emotional Sharon Osbourne lays flowers at Ozzy memorial Thousands of fans paid their respects to Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse made its way through the streets of Birmingham, the English city where he grew up and where the band was formed in 1968. Osbourne died last Tuesday at the age of 76. 00:46 - Source: CNN Shannon Sharpe out at ESPN after settling sexual assault lawsuit Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe, who has been one of the faces of ESPN's morning sports debate show 'First Take,' is no longer with the network, a source with knowledge of the situation told CNN. 00:54 - Source: CNN Crocodile gets caught underneath moving truck A bystander captured video of a crocodile caught underneath a truck driving through high water in Australia at Kakadu National Park. 00:25 - Source: CNN Beyoncé brings out Destiny's Child during final show Beyoncé reunited Destiny's Child during her concert at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland joining her on stage to perform a medley of the group's biggest hits, as part of her final Cowboy Carter show. 00:45 - Source: CNN Gwyneth Paltrow joins Astronomer as temporary spokesperson Actress and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow appeared in a new ad for Astronomer, the tech firm whose former CEO and human resources chief were caught in an awkward moment on a Jumbotron at a Coldplay concert last week. Paltrow is the ex-wife of Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. 00:51 - Source: CNN 'South Park' skewers Trump after signing new Paramount deal In their first episode of the season, the creators of "South Park" mocked President Donald Trump and Paramount after they just signed a new $1.5 billion contract. Paramount is looking to merge with Skydance Media and needs the Trump-influenced FCC to approve the deal. 01:24 - Source: CNN Hot Chinese brands are coming to America Chinese brands like Luckin Coffee, Pop Mart, and HEYTEA are expanding in the United States, despite the ongoing trade war. CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich and Marc Stewart report from two different continents on why the companies covet American customers. 02:10 - Source: CNN Fans pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne Fans have gathered in Ozzy Osbourne's hometown to pay tribute to the former Black Sabbath singer, who died yesterday at the age of 76. One of them told CNN's Salma Abdelaziz that Osbourne will 'live on forever in his music.' 01:07 - Source: CNN
CNN
9 hours ago
- CNN
Video: The Mann Act, explained. What the law says about transportation, prostitution
The Mann Act, explained. What the law says about transportation, prostitution CNN senior legal analyst explains the law that Sean "Diddy" Combs was found guilty of violating. The Mann Act was passed in 1910 and prohibits the transportation of people across state lines for the purpose of prostitution and human trafficking. 01:02 - Source: CNN Vertical Trending Now 17 videos The Mann Act, explained. What the law says about transportation, prostitution CNN senior legal analyst explains the law that Sean "Diddy" Combs was found guilty of violating. The Mann Act was passed in 1910 and prohibits the transportation of people across state lines for the purpose of prostitution and human trafficking. 01:02 - Source: CNN New research reveals origin of potatoes Scientists traced the lineage of potatoes to a wild genetic fusion about 9 million years ago between a tomato ancestor and a tuberless plant. 01:07 - Source: CNN Blake Lively to be deposed against Justin Baldoni Blake Lively is set to be deposed Thursday in her legal battle against Justin Baldoni. 00:24 - Source: CNN Amusement park ride splits in half in Saudi Arabia At least 23 people were injured, three of them critically, when a fairground ride buckled in Saudi Arabia, sending passengers crashing to the ground, according to state media. 00:33 - Source: CNN Dozens injured on Delta flight Severe turbulence struck a Delta flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam Wednesday, causing service carts and unbelted passengers to hit the ceiling and forcing an emergency landing in Minnesota, where 25 people on board were taken to hospitals. 01:01 - Source: CNN Arrest made in Arkansas hiking murders A man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of a married couple attacked and killed while hiking with their two young daughters at a state park in the Ozark Mountains, according to the Arkansas State Police. 00:45 - Source: CNN Crypto attack on OnlyFans streamer caught on camera Several crypto investors, including streamer and content creator Kaitlyn 'Amouranth' Siragusa, have been targeted in a series of violent attacks by gangs attempting to access their crypto wallets. Blockchain intelligence firms believe that the perceived anonymity and irreversibility of crypto transactions make investors an attractive target. 02:05 - Source: CNN High Noon recalls vodka seltzer mislabeled as Celsius High Noon has issued a voluntary recall after mislabeling some of its vodka seltzer as Celsius energy drinks. The FDA says no adverse events or illnesses have been reported. 00:55 - Source: CNN Jet2 holiday singer speaks out after White House uses meme British singer Jess Glynne responded to the White House's decision to use the viral TikTok sound, which includes her 2015 song "Hold My Hand" and Jet2's commercial. Glynne criticized the White House for using the audio to show the ongoing mass deportations in the United States. 01:10 - Source: CNN Fans pay tribute as emotional Sharon Osbourne lays flowers at Ozzy memorial Thousands of fans paid their respects to Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse made its way through the streets of Birmingham, the English city where he grew up and where the band was formed in 1968. Osbourne died last Tuesday at the age of 76. 00:46 - Source: CNN Shannon Sharpe out at ESPN after settling sexual assault lawsuit Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe, who has been one of the faces of ESPN's morning sports debate show 'First Take,' is no longer with the network, a source with knowledge of the situation told CNN. 00:54 - Source: CNN Crocodile gets caught underneath moving truck A bystander captured video of a crocodile caught underneath a truck driving through high water in Australia at Kakadu National Park. 00:25 - Source: CNN Beyoncé brings out Destiny's Child during final show Beyoncé reunited Destiny's Child during her concert at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland joining her on stage to perform a medley of the group's biggest hits, as part of her final Cowboy Carter show. 00:45 - Source: CNN Gwyneth Paltrow joins Astronomer as temporary spokesperson Actress and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow appeared in a new ad for Astronomer, the tech firm whose former CEO and human resources chief were caught in an awkward moment on a Jumbotron at a Coldplay concert last week. Paltrow is the ex-wife of Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. 00:51 - Source: CNN 'South Park' skewers Trump after signing new Paramount deal In their first episode of the season, the creators of "South Park" mocked President Donald Trump and Paramount after they just signed a new $1.5 billion contract. Paramount is looking to merge with Skydance Media and needs the Trump-influenced FCC to approve the deal. 01:24 - Source: CNN Hot Chinese brands are coming to America Chinese brands like Luckin Coffee, Pop Mart, and HEYTEA are expanding in the United States, despite the ongoing trade war. CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich and Marc Stewart report from two different continents on why the companies covet American customers. 02:10 - Source: CNN Fans pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne Fans have gathered in Ozzy Osbourne's hometown to pay tribute to the former Black Sabbath singer, who died yesterday at the age of 76. One of them told CNN's Salma Abdelaziz that Osbourne will 'live on forever in his music.' 01:07 - Source: CNN
