Silicon Valley Uber Driver Arrested, Accused Of Groping, Kissing Passenger

PALO ALTO, CA — Police arrested an Uber driver over the weekend after a female passenger said the man kissed and groped her outside her Silicon Valley home, according to police.

Around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a report of a sex crime that had occurred at a home near Los Trancos and Alpine roads, police said.

After speaking with the victim, in her 40s, and her husband, officers learned the couple had taken an Uber and were dropped off at their home around 11 p.m., according to police.

A short while later, the couple realized they forgot their cellphone in the Uber vehicle. The couple then called the Uber driver and asked him if he could bring it back, police said.

When he arrived, the victim went outside to pick up the cellphone. When the driver gave the woman the cellphone, the driver allegedly kissed her and groped her breast.

The victim pushed the man away and ran beck to her house. The suspect then drove off, and the couple immediately reported the incident to Uber, according to police.

About an hour later, the woman received a call from the suspect, saying he was outside her house. The victim told the suspect to go away and immediately notified police.

When officers arrived at the home the suspect had already left. Officers however were able to identify him as 35-year-old Redwood City resident Pedro Liborio-Anorve, police said.

Around 4 a.m., officers located Liborio-Anorve at a home in the 3400 block of Michael Drive in Redwood City. He was arrested on suspicion of sexual battery and stalking and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail,
according to police.

Uber spokeswoman Tracey Breeden said in a statement that Liborio-Anorve has been banned from using the ride-booking company.

"This behavior is described as disturbing and is not tolerated on the Uber platform," Breeden said. "We have been working in cooperation with police and will continue to assist with the investigation."

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the police dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Anonymous tips can be e-mailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent via text message or voice mail to 650-383-8984.

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--By Susan C. Schena (Patch Staff) and Bay City News /Image via PAPD