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A Georgia Uber driver has just been arrested, accused of committing aggravated sodomy with force and first-degree burglary against a passenger he had picked up in mid-December, the Athens Banner-Herald reported.
John M. Kamens, 49, of Statham, GA allegedly transported the 28-year-old Uber customer in Athens on Dec. 14 then returned later, breaking into her home and sexually assaulted her, Athens-Clarke County police said.
"The suspect is an Uber driver and made contact with the victim while providing her transportation the night of the incident," police Capt. Mike Hunsinger said, per the Banner-Herald. "Evidence indicates the burglary was with the intent to commit the felonious assault," he added.
The victim immediately reported the crime to police.
Hunsinger said to the Banner-Herald, "The offender was identified by investigators using information provided by the victim and through investigative follow-up."
The newspaper said Kamens was arrested on Wednesday and is being held without bond at the Clarke County Jail.
Commenting to CBS46 Atlanta, an Uber spokesperson said, it's "an appalling crime and our thoughts are with the victim as she recovers from this horrific ordeal."
Uber also said to the news station that Kamens can no longer drive for Uber or be a passenger in an Uber vehicle.
The wildly popular ride-hailing service emphasizes customer safety on its website, stating that drivers undergo background checks.
But in August, the company found itself apologizing after failing to perform a background check on a driver who later sexually assaulted a passenger in Dallas.
Such incidents have inspired the creation of ride-hailing company watchdog sites, such as whosdrivingyou.org.
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