Faux Ride Share Driver Arrested For Sexual Assault

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – Police announced yesterday that they arrested a man accused of posing as a "ride service driver," picking up a woman in West Hollywood on May 13, driving a short distance to Beverly Hills before he allegedly pulled over and sexually assaulted her.

On May 20, a week after the assault, Beverly Hills police detectives conducted surveillance and identified and arrested Carlos Omar Pinchinte, 40, of Los Angeles, in connection with the alleged sexual assault, said Beverly Hills police Lt. Elisabeth Albanese. He was driving a silver 2015 Kia Rio at the time of the arrest, according to Albanese, but she didn't say when he was taken into custody.

"Beverly Hills police detectives have been actively investigating this sexual assault since Pinchinte's arrest and believe he may be connected to additional sexual assaults in the Los Angeles area," she said in a prepared statement.

Pinchinte was arrested on multiple felonies including suspicion of rape. His bail was set at $1,350,000 and he's due in court on Thursday, she said.

Beverly Hills police detectives asked victims of similar sexual assaults or anyone with any information regarding the May 13 attack to call them at (310) 285-2158.

City News Service contributed to this post

Image via Beverly Hills Police Department