An Uber Eats driver in Perth, identified as Areeb, was allegedly attacked during a late-night carjacking, leaving him fearful of night-time work. The incident, which occurred when he was delivering food just before finishing his shift, transformed what should have been a celebratory occasion—his birthday— into a traumatic experience.
Areeb, recounting the event, explained that upon arriving to deliver an order, instead of receiving the food, he was unexpectedly assaulted. He reported being punched repeatedly and forcibly removed from his car while desperately calling for help. Following the attack, he sustained significant physical injuries, including bleeding from his nose and lip. His assailant eventually crashed the vehicle and was apprehended by police.
Although Areeb is healing physically, he continues to grapple with the psychological ramifications of the attack. He described the predominant effects as psychological rather than physical, noting a heightened sense of paranoia whenever he encounters strangers. “It just sets my body in a fight or flight mode,” he shared, expressing his desire to leave any potentially threatening environment as swiftly as possible.
The accused assailant is set to appear in court on charges that include aggravated robbery, causing bodily harm, assaulting a public officer, and vehicle theft. Despite his distressing experience, Areeb remains thankful for the bystanders who intervened to assist him during the ordeal. He expressed his belief in the goodness of people, particularly acknowledging the kindness of Australians.
This attack has not only reshaped Areeb’s sense of safety while working but has also highlighted the growing concerns regarding the safety of gig economy workers during their shifts. As he deals with the lasting impact of this traumatic incident, the unfortunate reality of such violent encounters continues to raise alarms within the community.