WTVJ NBC 6 South Florida reports that Glenroy Cornelius Tannis, a Lyft driver who was arrested on May 23, 2022, on two charges of sexual battery on a helpless victim, was released on Wednesday, June 1, after posting bonds totaling $175,000. According to the arrest report, the woman was visiting Florida from Wisconsin and was out with friends in the early morning hours of January 12. She requested a Lyft around 3:00 am and was picked up on Clematis Street in West Palm Beach.
Tannis arrived in a silver 2016 Ford Explorer. The woman’s friend confirmed that both Tannis and the SUB match the description provided by the Lyft app before the woman entered the vehicle. The woman had been socializing and drinking with friends all evening, and during the ride to an AirBnB apartment on Northeast First Street in Pompano Beach, she fell asleep in the back seat of the Ford Explorer.
According to investigators, about an hour later, she woke up groggy and half undressed with Tannis on top of her and forcing her to perform a sex act. Realizing she was near her destination, she gathered her belongings and fled the SUB. After running to the AirBnB apartment, she called a friend crying, and explained what had just happened. Although the friend encouraged the woman to call the police, she was in a daze, still inebriated, and understandably in a general state of confusion.
After flying home to Milwaukee, the woman reported what had happened and went to a sexual assault treatment center in order to collect DNA evidence. She also contacted the Broward Sheriff’s Office where detectives later identified both Tannis and the Ford Explorer. The woman returned to South Florida on March 16 to assist with the investigation. During this time, she was able to identify Tannis from one of six photographs. Records show that the DNA sample she provided also matched Tannis.
Lyft confirmed Tannis’ location the night of the attack, and also showed that he had turned off the app around the time of the attack. Broward Sheriff’s deceives were unable to find Tannis at his listed addresses. They were able to contact him by telephone. After skipping the first arranged meeting, officials were able to question Tannis on May 5. During questioning, Tannis gave contradictory accounts of what happened according to detectives. They later seized his phone and were able to prove that both Lyft and GPS data entries conflicted with his given story.
As part of his jail release conditions, Tannis is not permitted to work for any ride hailing services.