Uber Driver Accused Of Raping Laguna Beach Teen Sought: DA

LAGUNA BEACH, CA —An Orange County judge on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for an Uber driver charged with raping an unconscious girl he was driving to her Laguna Beach home in November of 2016.

Samer Alaaeldin Mahran of Huntington Beach was declared a fugitive after failing to appear in court Thursday, Oct. 25, according to Senior Deputy District Attorney Heidi Garrel.

Nearly two years ago, the family of the Laguna Beach teenager ordered an Uber ride to bring the intoxicated girl home from Huntington Beach, Orange County District Attorney's Office Public Affairs Unit, Chief of Staff Susan Kang Schroeder said.

The driver picked the teenager up but failed to drop her off at the requested destination, according to court records.

When a family member became concerned that she had not arrived home in the allotted time, Uber GPS tracking found the car nearby. That family member discovered Mahran allegedly in the act of sexual assault, court records say.

"The victim while she was unconscious due to intoxication," Kang Schroeder said.

Mahran then climbed into the driver's seat of his car and fleeing the scene as the relative helped the victim from the car, according to the charges.

According to the District Attorney's office, the driver knew the girl was only 17-years-old at the time of the sexual assault and rape.

Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Tim Kleiser stated that "Laguna Beach Detectives worked in collaboration with Uber liaisons, who assisted in the investigation," to identify Mahran.

According to Kleiser, Mahran was arrested at his apartment in Huntington Beach later that day.

Read also: Uber Driver Charged with Sexual Assault on Laguna Beach Passenger

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