A Casselberry man is accused of stabbing an Orlando Uber driver after demanding he take a different route to his destination, police records show.
Orlando police responded around 7 a.m. Monday to an area just across the street from Lake Highland Preparatory School after an officer was flagged down and told that an Uber driver had been stabbed, according to a police report.
That driver told officers he had just dropped off a passenger when a man later identified as Jovaughn Matthie, 42, of Casselberry, walked up to him and, after confirming he worked for Uber, got into his front passenger seat and asked for a ride to a destination about five minutes away in downtown Orlando, Matthie’s arrest affidavit said.
The driver agreed initially agreed to the request, but a problem arose when Matthie wanted to take a different route than what the car’s GPS advised. The driver refused to change directions and stopped the car, according to the affidavit.
Matthie then pulled out a knife and threatened to stab the driver in the heart before stabbing him in the right side of the chest. Matthie then unsuccessfully attempted to stab the driver several more times before fleeing. The driver told police the man wore a chain and rings, the affidavit said.
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Police around 7 a.m. saw Matthie, who matched the suspect’s description, walk into a nearby IHOP on Colonial Drive.
Officers confronted him inside as he sat drinking at a table, but he was argumentative, didn’t follow officers’ commands and at one point reached for his waistband. However, he began cooperating after police dogs were brought into the restaurant. He was arrested and a knife was found in his pocket, the affidavit said.
Surveillance footage from the IHOP shows Matthie discarding a piece of clothing in a trashcan outside the restaurant before he walks in. Police retrieved the clothing item and found what appeared to be blood on it, according to the affidavit.
Matthie was arrested on a charge of attempted second-degree murder. His first court hearing was held Tuesday and his next court hearing is scheduled for Friday. He is currently in custody at the Orange County Jail, records show.
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