Police Investigating Alleged Sexual Assault By Uber Driver In Mays Chapel
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Baltimore County Police are investigating after an alleged rape inside an Uber rideshare.
Police confirmed the allegations that an Uber driver had sexually assaulted a woman who was a customer in the back of his vehicle while driving her in the Mays Chapel area.
The alleged incident happened Saturday just before midnight on West Timonium Road and Jenifer Road in Mays Chapel.
Baltimore Co Police say alleged sexual assault happened off Timonium Road; family became concerned about passenger not returning home and dad used an app to track down where she was; after he confronted Uber driver parked on side of road, driver fled. No charges right now. @wjz
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) June 5, 2019
"What's been reported is appalling beyond words. We removed the driver from the app as soon as this report was sent to us. We will work with police on their investigation," Uber said in a statement to WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren.
Statement from Uber on Baltimore County police investigation into alleged sexual assault in Mays Chapel area. A passenger says an Uber driver assaulted her Saturday. @wjz pic.twitter.com/xj5HcIKQv3
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) June 5, 2019
Baltimore County Corporal Shawn Vinson described the investigation as "very active" and "fluid."
Vinson told Hellgren that the alleged victim's father became concerned about her whereabouts and used an unidentified app to track her to the location on West Timonium Road.
Vinson said the father saw an Uber pulled over and when he went to the car, he found his daughter and the Uber driver in the back seat. He then had "words" with the driver who threw his daughter's pocketbook at him, got in the front seat and drove off.
Debbie Ford lives in the Mays Chapel area and uses Uber, along with her children. She described the allegations as "scary."
"You trust these drivers to get you home safely and securely," she said.
Police said the incident was "isolated" and they do not believe there are other victims. Corporal Vinson said the alleged victim's cooperation is essential to the investigation.
Uber put safeguards in place last year to prevent sexual assault and to keep riders more secure.
They included a way to contact 911 through the app, GPS tracking of every ride and annual checks of criminal and motor vehicle records of drivers. Customers can also designate trusted friends and family to track their ride.
The company also employs former members of law enforcement to work with police.
No charges have been filed in this case yet.