On Sunday (April 30) at 3:49 a.m. the Bowling Green Police Division responded to an alleged abduction and gross sexual imposition. Upon arrival officers contacted the complainant who alleged she was picked up by a subject who purported being an Uber driver in the area of 100 block of South Enterprise. The complainant alleges the driver acted as though he was unfamiliar with the area and he drove her around the city. While driving randomly through the city the driver parked his vehicle and got on top of the complainant groping her over her clothes. The complainant advised that she told the driver, “No.” The driver stopped groping her and proceeded to drive her around the city. The complainant alleged that she was able to jump out of the vehicle and run to her residence. Once at her residence the complainant reported the incident to her friends and then contacted the Bowling Green Police Division.
The complainant described the driver as a black male, in his 20s, appeared to be taller than 5 feet 10 inches, weighing more than 250 pounds with short hair, unshaved face, wearing sweatpants. The vehicle the suspect was driving was described as a four door newer white Ford car.
Anyone with information regarding this case can call the Bowling Green Police at (419) 352-2571 or Wood County Crime Stoppers at (419) 352-0077.
Uber provides these safety tips on its website:
To keep riders safe, we vet Uber driver-partners and build our technology with safety in mind. But there are also things that you as a rider can do to ensure your safety. We worked with law enforcement to create this list of tips to help you stay safe while riding with Uber.
- Plan ahead. Before you request a ride, think about where you’re headed and review the safety features in the app so you know how to use them.
- Request your ride inside. Avoid spending unnecessary time outside alone with your phone in your hand. Instead, wait indoors until the app shows your driver has arrived.
- Get in the right car. Before you get in the car, check that license plate, driver photo, and driver name all match what’s listed in the app. Uber rides can only be requested through the app, so never get in a car with a driver who claims to be with Uber and offers a ride.
- Be a backseat rider. If you’re riding alone, sit in the backseat. This ensures you can safely exit on either side of the vehicle to avoid moving traffic, and it gives you and your driver some personal space.
- Buckle up. The Centers for Disease Control reports that seatbelt use is the most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries related to car accidents.
- Share your trip details with a friend. While en route, tap “Share status” in the app to share your driver’s name, photo, license plate, and location with a friend or family member. They can track your trip and see your ETA without downloading the Uber app.
- Protect your personal information. There’s no need to share your phone number or other contact information with your driver. If a rider and driver need to contact each other, the Uber app automatically anonymizes both phone numbers to protect everyone’s privacy.
- Follow your intuition. Trust your instincts and use your best judgment when riding with Uber. And if you ever feel you’re in an emergency situation, call 911 immediately.
- Be kind and respectful. As outlined in our community guidelines, please respect your driver and his or her car.
- Give feedback on your trip. Your feedback helps us improve the Uber experience for everyone. Our 24/7 global support team reviews feedback and will follow up with appropriate action on any reports of conduct that violate our community guidelines.
