A terrified Uber driver called the police after a female passenger allegedly threatened to stab him.
Sierra Genevieve Primeau, 30, who is listed as homeless, is facing felony charges of aggravated assault and criminal mischief following the harrowing encounter late Thursday night in Tavares.
According to an arrest report from the Tavares Police Department, officers were already in the area of Saint Clair Abrams Avenue and Givens Street at about 11:45 p.m. responding to a separate report of a woman yelling and threatening to stab someone.
While officers were checking the area, dispatch received a call from an Uber driver who had just picked up a female passenger at a residence on North Sinclair Avenue for a ride to Umatilla. The driver told police the woman, later identified as Primeau, got into the vehicle and sat directly behind him. When the driver asked her to slide over so she was not directly behind his seat, Primeau refused, became angry and started yelling.
The driver ended the ride and ordered her out of the vehicle.
Upon exiting, Primeau allegedly kicked the car’s right rear quarter panel, leaving a dent that caused more than $1,000 in damage. She then warned the driver she “had a knife and would use it” and “had something for him” while digging into her purse.
The driver, whose window was rolled halfway down, told police Primeau suddenly sprinted toward his car while continuing to reach inside her purse. Fearing he was about to be stabbed, the driver quickly sped off and waited for law enforcement at a Checkers restaurant on East Burleigh Boulevard.
Officers identified Primeau using the first and middle name listed on her Uber account, noting she also matched the physical description provided by the earlier 911 caller. Several officers were also already familiar with Primeau from previous encounters.
She was arrested and booked at the Lake County Jail. At last check, she was being held on $10,500 bond.