An Arizona woman has been arrested and charged after police say she intentionally struck and killed a man she met through a dating app in Phoenix earlier this month.
Authorities identified the suspect as 30-year-old Mikela Antresa Bahe. According to the Phoenix Police Department, she faces charges including second-degree murder, theft of means of transportation, and failure to remain at the scene of a fatal accident.
The victim was identified as 52-year-old Norris L. Taft.
Incident
Police said the incident occurred around 4 p.m. on May 3 in the parking lot of an apartment complex near 16th Street and Maryland Avenue in Phoenix.
A 911 caller reported that a man had been struck by a dark-colored SUV. Emergency responders arrived at the scene and found Taft suffering from severe injuries. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
The driver of the vehicle had already left the scene before officers arrived.
Investigation
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the apartment complex as part of the investigation.
According to police, the video showed a woman leaving the apartment building and entering an SUV. Around the same time, Taft was seen walking through the parking lot and standing in front of the vehicle while holding his hands out, appearing to signal for the driver to stop.
Police said the SUV then accelerated and struck him.
Authorities stated that the vehicle knocked Taft to the ground, dragged him underneath the SUV, and then drove over him before leaving the parking lot.
Additional surveillance footage later helped investigators identify Bahe as the alleged driver.
Dating App Meeting
Detectives learned that Taft and Bahe had reportedly met through the social networking and dating application MokoSpace.
According to court documents cited by local media outlets, the two met in person at a donut shop earlier that same day.
Investigators later spoke with Taft’s nephew, who reportedly communicated with the victim before and during the meeting.
The nephew told police that Taft later sent text messages saying he believed he had been “catfished,” meaning the woman he met in person did not resemble the person shown in profile images on the app.
According to investigators, Taft reportedly planned to take Bahe back to her residence or otherwise end the date.
Vehicle
Police also determined that the SUV involved in the incident was a 2010 Cadillac Escalade typically driven by Taft.
Authorities later tracked the vehicle and Bahe’s movements using surveillance footage and social media activity. Investigators said she visited several businesses in the Phoenix area before traveling to Flagstaff, approximately 150 miles north of Phoenix.
Arrest
Bahe was arrested in Flagstaff on Wednesday by local law enforcement officers and later transported back to Phoenix.
During an interview with detectives, police said Bahe acknowledged spending time with Taft during the weekend. However, according to court records referenced by Arizona media outlets, she claimed she could not remember events after Taft took her to a dispensary.
Investigators said she later declined to answer additional questions.
Police also alleged that Bahe contacted a family member and stated that she had “messed up” and expected to go to prison.
Charges
Bahe is currently being held in the Maricopa County Jail while the case proceeds through the legal system.
The charges filed against her include:
| Charge | Description |
|---|---|
| Second-degree murder | Allegedly causing the victim’s death intentionally |
| Theft of means of transportation | Alleged unauthorized use of the SUV |
| Failure to remain at scene | Leaving after the fatal collision |
Authorities have not announced additional details regarding future court appearances or possible trial dates.
Broader Concerns
The case has drawn attention to safety concerns surrounding online dating platforms and in-person meetings between strangers.
Law enforcement agencies often encourage users of dating apps to meet in public places, inform family or friends about plans, and remain cautious during early interactions with people they have not previously met in person.
Police have not indicated whether additional individuals were involved in the incident, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The allegations against Bahe remain accusations at this stage, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
FAQs
Who was arrested in the Phoenix case?
Mikela Antresa Bahe was arrested by police.
Who was the victim?
Police identified the victim as Norris L. Taft.
Where did the incident happen?
It occurred in a Phoenix apartment parking lot.
What dating app was involved?
Police said the pair met through MokoSpace.
What charges does Bahe face?
She faces murder and hit-and-run related charges.
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