DC bicyclist says driver slapped her, stole her phone

Editor’s note: This story has been updated after an earlier version contained incorrect information about the driver of the vehicle. Police say the driver was a woman.

WASHINGTON — D.C. police are investigating an apparent act of road rage in the Shaw neighborhood involving a motorist who slapped a bicyclist and then stole her iPhone after she threatened to call police.

The cyclist, a D.C. resident, told police she was riding her bike near the 1800 block of 9th Street in Northwest when a woman driving a black Honda swerved into her path, almost striking her. She said she exchanged words with the driver who then intentionally swerved toward her. The cyclist told police she “backhanded” the vehicle.

The driver yelled out, “Why did you hit my car?” then stopped her car, got out and slapped the cyclist numerous times on her arms and shoulders, according to the police report. The  cyclist said she told the driver she was going to call the police.

“The f— you are,” the woman replied, per the police report. The cyclist said the woman then grabbed her cellphone, got back in her car and drove away southbound on 9th Street.

D.C. police are investigating the incident as a robbery. Police did not release a description of the driver.

WTOP’s John Domen contributed to this report. 

Jack Moore

Jack Moore joined WTOP.com as a digital writer/editor in July 2016. Previous to his current role, he covered federal government management and technology as the news editor at Nextgov.com, part of Government Executive Media Group.

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