Uber Driver Charged with Rape and Kidnapping of Female Passenger in Washington State, USA
Prosecutors have pressed charges against an Uber driver accused of taking advantage of an intoxicated female passenger by driving her to a secluded location and sexually assaulting her over the weekend.
The suspect, Ahmed Hassan Ali, 58, from Seattle, faces charges including second-degree rape and first-degree kidnapping with sexual motivation.
According to the arrest report, Ali was working for Uber on Saturday morning when he picked up the intoxicated woman from a bar in Olympia.
Investigators allege that after marking the woman’s ride as completed in the Uber app, Ali continued driving to an unincorporated area on 6th Avenue SE in Thurston County, where he allegedly raped her.
The victim’s family became concerned when she did not arrive home, and her father tracked her location to a parking area near the Nisqually River, as stated in the arrest report.
Upon arriving at the location, family members found the woman unclothed in the backseat of Ali’s car. They witnessed Ali attempting to pull up his pants and climb over the center console, according to the sheriff’s office report.
Family members reportedly confronted Ali, resulting in a physical altercation during which the victim’s father fired a gun twice, though no one was hit.
Neighbors alerted 911 about the gunfire, and deputies intercepted Ali’s vehicle as he attempted to leave. Ali was found bleeding from his head and hands but initially declined medical treatment, as noted in the report.
Prosecutors highlighted in a court hearing that Ali’s injuries were severe enough to cast doubt on his refusal of medical care.
During the hearing, a judge set Ali’s bail at $100,000. He posted bail the same night and was released from custody. Ali is expected to appear for an arraignment on July 2nd.