Darien Police: Man intimidates Uber driver for ride, refuses to pay
DARIEN — Police say a New York man has been accused of using racial slurs and threatening to hurt an Uber driver who picked him up in town.
Christopher Doherty, 57, has been charged with third-degree robbery and second-degree intimidation due to bias in connection with the incident that began on Midbrook Lane on July 30, police said.
The Uber driver told officers he picked up a fare on Midbrook Lane and a man, later identified as Doherty, got into the vehicle, police said. However, after the man got in, the driver realized Doherty was not the person who requested the service, police said.
Police Sgt. James Palmieri said the driver then turned around to bring Doherty back to Midbrook Lane. Doherty then became “physically aggressive towards the victim and began to use racial slurs and make threats of bodily harm, Palmieri said.
“Out of fear, the victim drove Doherty to his requested destination in New York state,” Palmieri said. “Attempts to contact Doherty that evening and over the next few days were unsuccessful.”
Palmieri said Darien police obtained an arrest warrant for Doherty, who turned himself in on Aug. 11.
Doherty was released on a $10,000 bond and is due in court on Aug. 23.