Orlando police say a Florida man arrested IHOP stabbing rideshare driver after an alleged attack prompted officers to take him into custody inside a northeastern Orlando restaurant. Police identified the suspect as Jovaughn Nathan Matthie and said he was arrested Monday at the IHOP and charged with attempted murder.
The Orlando Police Department said it has not released the rideshare driver’s condition and is withholding some details to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Police account: Florida man arrested IHOP stabbing rideshare driver
According to the Orlando Police Department, the incident began when Matthie allegedly stabbed a rideshare driver following a dispute. In a department statement, police said the attack occurred after the driver “refused to provide a ride without a request through the rideshare app.”
After the reported stabbing, Matthie fled and entered a nearby IHOP in northeastern Orlando. Officers located him inside the restaurant and took him into custody without reported injury to officers or other patrons, the department said.
Body camera footage and arrest details
Body camera video released by police shows multiple officers surrounding Matthie as he sat inside the IHOP. The footage indicates the restaurant had been cleared of other patrons by the time officers approached.
Officers are heard on the video repeatedly ordering Matthie to get on the ground, lie on his stomach and place his hands behind his back. At one point an officer warns Matthie he would be “dog bit” if he did not comply. After officers handcuffed Matthie, they searched his clothing and retrieved a long object an officer identified on camera as a knife wrapped in white cloth.
Victim status and open questions
Police have not released details about the rideshare driver’s injuries or current condition. Officials said they are withholding certain information while the investigation continues.
Key unanswered questions remain public: where and exactly how the stabbing occurred before Matthie entered the restaurant, whether other people were involved, and the severity of any injuries. Authorities have not said whether the driver received medical treatment at the scene or was transported to a hospital.
Charges, next steps and investigation status
Matthie was charged with attempted murder, the Orlando Police Department said. He remains in custody as investigators continue to collect evidence and interview witnesses.
Police said they are limiting the release of some information to preserve the integrity of the investigation. Prosecutors typically review police reports, body camera footage and witness statements before formal filings or a first court appearance are scheduled.
Background: rideshare safety and local context
The department’s statement highlighted a dispute tied to rideshare pickup practices, noting the driver declined a street hail and asked for an in-app request instead. Rideshare drivers often rely on app-request systems to match trips and confirm fares, and law enforcement and industry groups advise using in-app features and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.
Incidents like this can prompt renewed attention to driver and passenger safety measures, including app verification, lighting and camera use, and best practices for declining rides that are requested outside the platform.
For more details, see the Orlando Police Department statement and the Fox News account of the incident.
Sources: Orlando Police Department statement; Fox News report.
