A Lyft driver has been arrested and charged after reportedly taking his passenger to his apartment and raping her.
Yousef Hamed, 30, responded to a Lyft call to pick up a woman in New Orleans on Jan. 23. He then reportedly took her to his home a few miles away from the intended destination and raped her. The woman, who local media has not named for privacy concerns, was intoxicated and the Lyft ride had been ordered by her friend.
The woman eventually convinced Hamed to take her home, NOLA reported. She reportedly did not have her phone on her, as she’d accidentally left it behind before she got on the ride.
Immediately following her attack, the 43-year-old woman contacted the police and had a rape kit performed on her. Lyft did not immediately respond to the Daily Dot’s request for information on the case but seemingly cooperated with investigators to share information about Hamed.
Hamed was arrested on Tuesday and has been booked at Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and charged with kidnapping and rape.
Lyft’s website says the company conducts background checks before on-boarding drivers. It’s not clear if Hamed has any prior records. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to the Daily Dot’s request for comments.
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