Cape Coral man accused of attacking Uber driver

Published: Updated:
Ryan Sheehan Credit: The Lee County Sheriff’s Office

Police have arrested a man accused of being physically violent toward an Uber driver in Cape Coral.

On Tuesday, at around 1:10 a.m., Cape Coral police officers responded to a disturbance at the 7-Eleven on 345 Cape Coral Parkway East.

While on the way to 7-Eleven, officers were advised that a passenger was trying to fight his Uber driver.

The Uber driver said he was transporting 40-year-old Ryan Sheehan.

While the driver was taking Sheehan to his destination, Sheehan became angry and aggressive towards him, stating he wanted to fight the Uber driver because he thought he was going the wrong way.

The driver said that Sheehan started grabbing him while driving. He then pulled over to the 7-Eleven to get away from Sheehan and to alert an employee to call 911.

Benji Copeland, a 7-Eleven employee, said the Uber driver gave up trying to get Sheehan out of his car, so he got out and ran into the store.

“I just knew he was panicking,” Copeland said. “He looked like he was endangered, so I asked him, ‘Stay with me. Come inside the store. Let’s handle the phone call with the operator while the guy’s still yelling crazy [expletive] in the background.'”

Sheehan then ran into the store.

“I was just standing there between the both of them and trying to help the Uber driver. What could happen to me? What can I really do?” Copeland said.

Copeland said Sheehan then started to tickle the driver.

When officers arrived on the scene, they made contact Sheehan as he was leaving the 7-Eleven with two sandwiches in his hands.

7-Eleven

Sheehan did not listen to the officers and attempted to walk toward the Uber driver. Officers then physically detained Sheehan.  

Police also found that Sheehan never paid for the two sandwiches with which he walked out of the store.

7-Eleven employees said that Sheehan seemed very intoxicated and caused a disruption in their store.

Sheehan is charged with battery, petit theft, disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer without violence.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.