An Uber driver in Iowa is thankful to be alive after he got caught up in an incident where shooting suspects tried to use his vehicle to make a getaway.
The juveniles ordered a trip on the ride-sharing app following an incident where law enforcement was called to the scene around 14th Place and University Avenue in Des Moines on Sunday.
However, Michael Street – who had only worked with Uber 20 days - got about half a block down away when police stopped his motor with guns drawn, and one of the young people allegedly retaliated by reaching for his own weapon.
Michael Street unknowingly picked up shooting suspects in Des Moines, Iowa on Sunday
Following an incident where a handgun was fired, juveniles (pictured with Street on the left) involved ordered an Uber to make a getaway
Police surrounded the vehicle with guns drawn and a suspect allegedly reached for his handgun (pictured), causing Street to jump out
'That's when I jumped out of my truck and I said "he's reaching for a weapon," and thank God they knew and sensed I was just the Uber driver,' Street told NBC 13.
Street admits he had a feeling he was involved in something immoral as soon as the young suspects got into his vehicle around 2.30pm.
The Uber driver said one of the suspects sat in the front passenger seat, had 'cockaburs all over his sweatpants and I could smell sweat.
'I asked these guys "are you running from these cops?" And they said "just get us to where we are going",' Street continued.
Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek said witnesses gave 'really good descriptions of a group of juveniles that had run from the area between houses' and one 'later gave us a description of a vehicle they saw these juveniles getting into'.
Street had asked if they were running from cops but they ordered him to drive on. Witnesses gave 'really good descriptions of a group of juveniles' and 'a description of a vehicle' (pictured)
The handgun was removed, juveniles were taken into custody and were questioned. Street said: 'Thank God they knew and sensed I was just the Uber driver'
Cops surrounded the white SUV to detain the suspects but it wasn't over yet for Street.
He claims when police told everyone on the car to remain calm, he noticed a male reaching for a handgun, which was later retrieved by law enforcement and they were taken into custody.
Nobody was hurt in the incident. The juveniles have not been charged but are being questioned.
'They were somehow involved in this incident, some kind of dispute, and they fired a gunshot and then called an Uber to get away,' Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek added. 'Not a real good plan.'
After a stressful day on the job, Street was grateful to return to his family but only took the rest of the day off.
'It could have gotten uglier than it was. I'm thankful to be here today,' he added. 'I immediately went home and hugged my grandson. That was the only thing on my mind at the time.'
Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek said about the juveniles: 'They fired a gunshot and then called an Uber to get away. Not a real good plan'
