Parolee Uber Driver Accused of Stealing Thousands

It was supposed to be a quick ride — but it ended with missing cash, a threat involving a gun, and a frantic call to deputies. By the time it was over, a man claimed thousands of dollars had vanished, and the driver was gone. According to a report from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched for a theft complaint after a man reported his ride driver had taken approximately $4,500 to $5,000 in cash. The caller told deputies he had arranged a ride directly with the driver rather than through the Uber app, explaining that he had previously ridden with the same driver and was given a personal phone number to book rides outside the platform. He showed deputies prior ride history inside the Uber app confirming earlier trips with the driver, including a recent ride earlier this month. He also provided call and text records showing he contacted the driver to request pickup from Cabell County and transport to Walmart in South Point. Instead of heading straight to Walmart, the driver allegedly pulled behind a business near dumpsters in Burlington. The caller said the driver’s girlfriend was also in the vehicle, seated in the back seat — someone he had never met before. The caller reported the driver began accusing him of inappropriate behavior toward the girlfriend, then exited the vehicle and entered the back seat. The caller said he had cash in his front pocket and was preparing to pay for the ride when the driver allegedly removed all the money. He said about $1,000 was returned, but the remaining cash was kept. The caller also told deputies the driver threatened to pull out a gun and held his hand near his waistband before leaving the scene. The victim completed a written statement, and deputies began attempting to locate the suspect. A records check connected the vehicle used in the incident to Antonio Smith, who was later confirmed to be currently on parole for Aggravated Robbery. Deputies checked nearby businesses for surveillance footage, but were told one location had no cameras and another only provided a live feed with no recording capability. A patrol check of Smith’s listed South Point residence was also conducted, but neither Smith nor the vehicle was located. The case remains under investigation and is expected to be forwarded to detectives if Smith cannot be located. ⚠️ IMPORTANT REMINDER ABOUT OFF-APP RIDES Authorities stress that arranging rides outside official platforms removes built-in safety protections like trip tracking, driver verification, and digital payment records. It’s also worth noting that Uber recently announced stricter background policies, including permanent bans for drivers with violent felony convictions, sexual offenses, and child or elder abuse — along with expanded monitoring and ongoing background checks. But those protections only apply when rides are booked through the app. 🛑 SAFETY TIPS FOR RIDESHARE USERS If you use rideshare services: ✅ Always book through the official app ✅ Never pay cash ✅ Don’t share personal contact info with drivers ✅ Confirm license plate and vehicle before entering ✅ Share your trip status with a trusted contact ✅ If something feels off — end the ride and call for help Once you go off-app, you’re riding without a digital safety net. What began as a simple ride request now involves a felony investigation — and serves as a hard reminder that shortcuts can come with serious consequences.

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