Uber Driver Accused Of Rape Scheduled For Arraignment

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — The arraignment for an Uber driver accused of raping an intoxicated customer is scheduled for Monday. The driver, Angel Sanchez, is a Costa Mesa resident. On March 30, he picked up a woman from a company gathering in Newport Beach, drove her to a street near her home and raped her in his van, prosecutors allege.

According to the Orange County District Attorney's office, the unnamed woman left the office party, where alcohol was served, intoxicated. When friends called Uber to get her a ride home, Uber driver Angel Sanchez picked her up in a 2016 Toyota Sienna van.

When the woman realized what was happening, she fled the van and called 911, according to an OCDA spokesperson.

"Sanchez was charged with a felony count of rape of an intoxicated victim," police said. "He had been driving for Uber for about a year."

The 37-year-old was arrested by Santa Ana police at his home on April 1. He was released from jail April 3 after posting $100,000 bail.

Sanchez was banned from the Uber driver app as soon as the business became aware of the accusations, according to Uber spokesperson Andrew Hasbun.

“Nobody should go through what this rider reported to police,” Hasbun said. “We worked with law enforcement on the investigation and will continue to work with authorities.”

OCDA Photo