Fake Ridesharing Service Driver Sexually Assaults 21-Year-Old At Knifepoint Near University Of Delaware, Police Say
NEWARK, Del. (CBS) – Police are searching for the driver of a silver GMC pickup truck who offered a woman a ride, claiming to be a part of a ridesharing service, then sexually assaulted her at knifepoint near the University of Delaware. Officials say the suspect stopped a 21-year-old woman walking on South Chapel Street in the area of East Delaware Avenue around 1:15 a.m. Saturday.
"We were talking about it, are we going to be able to use Uber anymore? It's getting to the point where it's so scary," said University of Delaware sophomore Jayna Pacelli.
The victim told police the suspect pulled up to her explaining he was driving for a rideshare service and offered her a ride home.
"She had not called for any sort of ride share service but she agreed to get into his vehicle and ride with him,'" said Newark Police Lieutenant Andrew Rubin.
During the drive, police say the driver pulled over, displayed a knife and told the victim to perform a sexual act with him.
After the sexual act was complete, he continued to drive the victim.
The victim was released from the vehicle on Vassar Drive in Newark and went to a nearby residence where she called police.
She was transported to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic man, about 40 years old, medium build, short hair and speaks broken English with an accent.
The suspect's vehicle is described as a silver 4-door GMC pickup truck with an extended cab and a tool chest behind the cab. The pickup truck has a license plate from an unknown state on both the front and back of the vehicle.
Newark Police are advising all riders, not just students to be on alert when using ride sharing services.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Detective D. Bystricky at 302-366-7100, extension 3136.
