Full Breakdown
Georgia Jailbreak: Inmates Kidnap Lyft Driver in Violent Escape Attempt
12/26/2025, 10:34:33 PM
Escape and Kidnapping Incident
Three inmates—Stevenson Charles, 24; Yusuf Minor, 31; and Naod Yohannes, 25—escaped from the DeKalb County Jail in Georgia on December 24, 2025, and subsequently kidnapped a Lyft driver during their attempt to flee to South Florida. The escape was discovered during a routine security check when a deputy found a compromised cell. The inmates managed to exploit the aging infrastructure of the jail, which officials have since begun to repair.
After their escape, the trio was picked up by an unidentified individual and taken to Minor's girlfriend's home, where they ordered a Lyft ride using a fake name. Upon the driver's arrival, they attacked her, wrapping a rope around her neck and dragging her into the backseat. The driver was held captive for approximately 10 hours, during which the men threatened her life and forced her to transfer money from her bank accounts to facilitate their getaway.
Arrest and Charges
The FBI tracked the inmates' movements using license plate readers, leading to their capture in Broward County, Florida. Charles and Yohannes were apprehended after attempting to flee from a vehicle stop, while Minor was arrested at the rental property where the driver was held. All three now face federal kidnapping charges, in addition to their existing charges related to violent crimes, including murder and armed robbery.
Official Statements and Responses
DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox stated, "The streets of DeKalb County are once again safe," emphasizing the swift action taken by law enforcement. Chief Deputy Temetris Atkins noted that the jail's infrastructure would be fortified to prevent similar escapes in the future. The U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that the Lyft driver was an unwitting participant in the escape plan, and the investigation into the incident remains active.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics have raised concerns about the conditions of the DeKalb County Jail, highlighting the need for significant improvements to ensure inmate and public safety. Sheriff Maddox acknowledged the facility's deteriorating state, stating, "We know it's going to cost money, but we either pay now, or we pay later."
Verbatim Quotes
- “As you can imagine, the Lyft driver is very traumatized by this,” — Thomas Brown, U.S. Marshal
- “We repaired the area that was compromised, and we’re looking at other areas that are similar to that to fortify them to make sure that they are not compromised in the same manner,” — Temetris Atkins, Chief Deputy of DeKalb County
- “incident continues to be investigated” — Cynthia Williams, DeKalb County Jail Spokesperson
What's Next
The three inmates are scheduled for an initial appearance before a federal magistrate judge in Fort Lauderdale on December 29, 2025. They are expected to face additional charges related to their violent escape and kidnapping of the Lyft driver. The ongoing investigation may reveal further details about how the escape was orchestrated and the extent of outside assistance received by the inmates.
