ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A man was arrested by Alpharetta Police and is accused of kidnapping and raping a Lyft driver last month, the department announced on Tuesday.
Captain Andrew Splawn said on March 11, Demarcus Johnson allegedly signed onto Lyft and requested a ride to pick him up at his home in Snellville in Gwinnett County. He was heading to a local restaurant.
"While en route to the restaurant, they engaged in casual conversation," Captain Splawn explained.
He said the conversation at some point turned to the driver and Johnson grabbing a drink.
"Once they arrived at their destination, he invited her inside to have a drink and continue the conversation," he said.
Captain Splawn said the two rode together to a second restaurant when it's alleged Johnson slipped the woman a sedative.
"It’s absolutely alarming, and that’s what the evidence leads us to believe," Captain Splawn said.
He said at some point, "She stated she experienced a blackout."
It's believed the two spent a couple of hours together before the woman allegedly lost consciousness.
"She woke up the following morning in an Alpharetta hotel had been sexually assaulted, and her, the vehicle she used to drive had been stolen," Captain Splawn explained.
He admitted this is a very unique case. Once their 911 center received the call from the woman, their detectives immediately got to work.
Captain Splawn said they were able to track down her stolen car, which had been abandoned back in Gwinnett County. In fact, he said it was found a short distance from Johnson's home. However, at the time, they didn't know he was their suspect.
Detectives started writing search warrants for an array of evidence, including credit card statements, passenger information from Lyft and tracking down surveillance from the restaurants and hotel.
Captain Splawn said Lyft was very cooperative and handed over the passenger information his detectives needed to help put this case together. He said video evidence was also extremely beneficial.
"We were able to see him on video surveillance footage from at least one restaurant and at the hotel," he explained.
Captain Splawn said the victim was examined at a local hospital, and it was during her sexual assault kit that staff realized he had a sedative in her system.
She told detectives she was not prescribed any type of sedative and did not on her own accord take any type of sedative prior to meeting Johnson.
Captain Splawn said once detectives were able to positively identify Johnson as their suspect, they tracked him down on April 5 and took him into custody. He said that, as of Wednesday night, Johnson has not been cooperative in their investigation.
Johnson is being held in Gwinnett County on unrelated charges. Once those are taken care of, he'll be brought to Fulton County Jail, where he'll be booked on rape, kidnapping, aggravated assault and felony theft by taking charges in the case stemming from March 11.
He also has holds on him for warrants out of Henry County and Lake City.
Detectives said that based on the brazenness of this crime, they are reaching out to the public to see if there are any other potential victims.
The department asks anyone who might know anything about the case or have information about the suspect to contact Detective Lawrence at 678-297-6338.
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