Atlanta

Former Lyft driver accused of scamming disabled woman out of thousands arrested

ATLANTA — A blind woman who had a leg amputated says a ride-sharing service driver stole thousands of dollars from her.

We first talked to Cassie Mitchell, 67, in June, soon after the incident happened. Now, police say they've made an arrest in the case.

Channel 2's Michael Seiden obtained exclusive body camera video from an Aug. 9 traffic stop.

The video shows the moment police arrested George “Prince George McWonder” Bass in the city of Fairburn.

The former Lyft driver is accused of stealing nearly $18,000 from Mitchell.

Mitchell first met Bass last year, after he gave her a ride to her dialysis appointment. From there, the two became friends, and according to police, Mitchell liked him so much, she hired him to be her caretaker.

TRENDING STORIES:

“While she was in rehab for about six weeks, he was actually using her card to make cash withdrawals and purchases for his own good,” said Sgt. Paul Cooper, with the Atlanta Police Department Major Fraud Unit.

Mitchell was all smiles Tuesday afternoon as Seiden caught up with her at her southwest Atlanta home, where she offered a direct message to the man who, she said, broke her trust.

“Because I'm blind doesn’t mean I don’t know what’s going on," Mitchell said. "I wouldn’t have did you or you mama like that.”

Police said that Mitchell also agreed to give Bass a $3,000 loan in exchange for the title to his car, which investigators say didn't belong to him and didn't work.

0