Woman Raped In Boston By Man She Thought Was Her Uber Driver: DA

BOSTON — A Worcester man was charged Monday after being accused of raping a woman who thought he was her Uber driver in Boston early Saturday morning, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a news release Wednesday.

The woman, 32, told authorities that before sunrise Saturday, she got into a car that she thought was the Uber she had called. The car's driver, later identified as 29-year-old Qabel Najeeb, drove past Boston Common, pulled over among buildings near Storrow Drive, and raped her before dropping her off on Border Street, officials said.

Najeeb was arrested Sunday after investigators used video surveillance and descriptions provided by the victim to identify him and his blue Toyota Corolla, according to officials.

He was being held on $10,000 bail after being charged with one count of rape, officials said. Najeeb will be ordered to wear a GPS bracelet and observe a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew if he posts bail and will return to court Nov. 15 for a probable cause hearing, according to officials.

"This is a terrifying incident involving a woman who entered a vehicle with the full understanding that she was going to be delivered home in safety and a driver who took advantage of the victim and the situation," Hayden said in the news release Wednesday. "This is the beginning of the process of seeking justice, and we will stay beside this victim during and after this difficult time."

The district attorney's office emphasized that the victims of any crime, including domestic or sexual violence, should call 911 in an emergency. In addition, SafeLink—a statewide 24/7 domestic violence hotline with trained advocates who speak English, Spanish and Portuguese—can be reached at 877-785-2020.