A Facebook posting that went viral about an Uber passenger who claimed the driver and another passenger robbed him at gunpoint and threw him into a manhole never happened, according to a statement from the Atlanta Police Department.
Bo Clearly claimed he contacted the ride-sharing service around 4 a.m. on Dec. 28 to be picked up from a nightclub on Irby Avenue in Buckhead. When the Uber car arrived, Clearly alleged the driver and a passenger already in the car robbed him at gunpoint, drove him to a parking lot behind a church on Peachtree Road and dumped him in a manhole.
Here’s what the APD has to say about the incident:
1. The Uber driver listed on social media and other forms of media did not rob Mr. Clearly. In fact, the trip was cancelled prior to this driver arriving at Mr. Clearly’s location. Our investigation has determined the driver was on another trip at the time of this possible robbery.
2. Mr. Clearly was captured on video walking into the parking lot. He was not being followed and showed no obvious signs of distress. He was observed walking down to the adjacent creek in the area of the manhole. The manhole can be accessed from the creek.
3. The only vehicle observed in the parking lot of the church was believed to be that of the off duty officer working at the location. The off duty officer aided Mr. Clearly. Mr. Clearly did not report to the officer that he was robbed.
4. It is noted in the Atlanta Fire Report that upon his rescue, Mr. Clearly stated he had been drinking.
Based on these factors, we have not arrived at the conclusion that a robbery took place. We are certain that the Uber driver did not participate in any robbery.