Uber Driver Accused of Sex Assault in Mar Vista

Police today were investigating a woman’s claim that an Uber driver sexually assaulted her in Mar Vista after telling her he was off-duty and offering to give her a ride home.

The woman told detectives that the attack occurred some time between 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Saturday near Palms Boulevard and Beethoven Street, said Los Angeles police Detective Kimberly Porter, who is investigating the case.

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The woman said she needed a ride home that night, and she contacted a friend, who called Uber, according to Porter.

She told detectives that the suspect then pulled up in a Chrysler and told her he worked for Uber, but was off-duty, and offered to give her a ride home, Porter said.

The woman said she got into the car and was sexually assaulted in the vehicle in a parking lot, Porter said.

Police have interviewed the man, whose name was not released, but have not arrested him, Porter said. The man has been suspended from Uber pending further investigation, Porter said.

The man was not providing rides for Uber that night, and his last trip was on Friday, a spokeswoman for the ride-sharing company told the Los Angeles Times.

• City News Service