Rideshare Driver Carjacked at Knifepoint in Woodbury

Aug 31

A 23-year-old man is charged with carjacking, robbery and fleeing police after allegedly threatening a rideshare driver with a knife in Woodbury.

He’s accused of stealing the victim’s vehicle and leading deputies on a high-speed pursuit into Wisconsin.

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Prosecutors say Ebrima Kanteh ordered a ride on August 28 to be picked up at an Anytime Fitness in Woodbury and dropped off less than a mile away. When the trip ended near 2150 Eagle Creek Lane, Kanteh allegedly pulled a knife and held it near the driver’s neck after grabbing the victim’s phone.

The suspect reportedly told the driver not to move or open the door and claimed he didn’t want to hurt him. A struggle followed and the driver was able to escape and run to a nearby gas station, where a bystander called 911.

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Washington County deputies soon located the stolen Chevrolet Equinox speeding away on Woodbury Drive and entering I-94 eastbound. According to the complaint, the SUV was traveling more than 100 miles per hour as deputies gave chase into Wisconsin. St. Croix County deputies assisted with a PIT maneuver near mile marker 16 to end the pursuit. Kanteh, the only person in the vehicle, was taken into custody and booked into the St. Croix County Jail.

Investigators say a 13-inch “Elite Edge Big Boy Stiletto” dagger was found between the driver’s seat and center console of the SUV.

Kanteh now faces three felony counts in Washington County, including first-degree carjacking, first-degree aggravated robbery and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.

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