38-year-old Uber driver Christi Spicuzza, a mother of four, pleaded for her life before she was shot dead during what investigators believe was a robbery attempt, according to a transcript of dashcam video, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.
Spicuzza was shot once in the head before her body was found in a wooded area last weekend in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. A delivery driver had discovered Spicuzza's body hours after Pitcairn police found her vehicle.
Allegheny County police charged 22-year-old suspect Calvin Crew on Wednesday night over Spicuzza's killing. Crew, who was arrested Thursday evening, is now facing charges of homicide, robbery, and tampering with evidence.
According to footage retrieved from Spicuzza's dashcam, investigators say the victim can be seen arriving to pick up Crew, who allegedly used his girlfriend's phone to order an Uber, on Feb. 11. Crew entered the vehicle and brandished a handgun, pointing it at the back of Spicuzza's head, the criminal complaint says.
At one point during the encounter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported, Spicuzza brought up her family to Crew: "I'm begging you, I have four kids."
"I got a family too," Crew reportedly said. "Now drive."
Crew told Spicuzza multiple times to "complete the trip" when she asked him to put the gun down, according to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
"Please take that off of me," Spicuzza said. Crew reached forward and took Spicuzza's cell phone off of the dashboard, the criminal complaint reads.
"Do what I say, and everything will be all right," Crew allegedly told Spicuzza, The video ends with Crew reaching forward to grab the dashcam, per the complaint.
Crew was arraigned Friday before a district judge. He was being held without bail in the Allegheny County Jail pending a preliminary hearing on Feb. 25.
The young mother drove for Uber on the side to make extra money for her family, WPXI reported. Spicuzza was first reported missing after she didn't return home from picking up Uber fares. Police found Spicuzza's dashboard camera Thursday abandoned near Crew's requested drop-off location, the criminal complaint says.
Police held a news conference Friday to discuss the arrest, stating that the dashcam video was essential to linking Crew to the slaying.
County Police Superintendent Christopher Kearns said investigators believe Crew intended to rob Spicuzza and the two had no prior connection with each other.
The case remains under investigation as authorities still question what Crew may have allegedly stolen from Spicuzza and whether the suspect's 22-year-old girlfriend will face criminal charges for ordering the Uber on his behalf.
The girlfriend, Tanaya Mullen, sent Crew a message saying: "[I'm] not going to jail if we get caught," according to the criminal complaint. Police officials refused to comment on the message and speculate on its meaning at this time.
Uber released a press statement Monday, expressing their condolences:
"Our thoughts are with Christi’s family and friends during this difficult time: Uber's 24/7 public safety team has been assisting police in the investigation."
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