Phony Ride-Share Driver Accused Of Sex Assault: Sheriff

TEMECULA, CA – A Moreno Valley man, allegedly posing as a ride-share driver, was arrested Monday following a weekend report from a woman, who said she was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by the suspect after she got into his vehicle at a gas station assuming he was her hired ride, authorities said.

The female reported that she was at a Pala gas station Sunday at about 8:30 p.m. waiting for a ride-sharing service when the male "pulled up and stated he was her ride," deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department in Temecula said.

"After getting in the vehicle, it became apparent to the victim the driver was not a ride-sharing service driver and asked to be let out of the vehicle," the agency said. "The driver refused to let her out and sexually assaulted the victim while in the city of Temecula."

The woman managed to escape from the car on Temecula Parkway and immediately dialed 911, officials said.

Deputies identified and subsequently on Monday arrested the suspect, Luis Fernando Alba, in Moreno Valley, deputies said. His arrest was for suspicion of kidnapping and sexual assault, along with suspected carjacking, as the vehicle he was driving at the time of the ride-sharing incident was reportedly stolen in a carjacking Saturday in Moreno Valley, the agency said.

Anyone with information on the incident can call Investigator Cornett at the Temecula Sheriff’s Station (951) 696-3000 or Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch (951) 776-1099.

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