Melbourne Man Arrested in Key West After Punching Uber Driver, Carjacks Vehicle
By Space Coast Daily // July 20, 2021
Earl Jones charged with robbery-carjacking, battery
KEY WEST, FLORIDA – Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 42-year-old Melbourne man after he allegedly pulled an Uber driver from his vehicle, punched him and took the Uber driver’s vehicle in Key West.
The suspect, Earl Jones, has been charged with robbery-carjacking without a weapon and battery.
According to the investigation, Jones was drinking with a woman in Key West Saturday night when they ordered an Uber to take them back to their rental on Geiger Key Road, officials said.
After arriving at Geiger Key Marina, Jones became angry after displacing his phone or wallet, according to authorities.
The Uber driver told the Sheriff’s Office that Jones began searching the SUV for his items. When Jones reached the driver’s side door, he punched the driver in the face and put him in a headlock, then threw him to the ground.
Jones proceeded to chase the driver after he attempted to run away where he then got in the vehicle and drove it to his nearby vacation rental.
Deputies located the SUV with the engine still running as Jones was found asleep in the rental.
The Uber driver was taken to Lower Keys Medical Center with minor injuries to his head.
Jones was taken to jail.
The woman Jones was with, has not been charged.
