EAST PALO ALTO — An Uber driver was arrested Saturday on suspicion of sexually assaulting a female passenger Friday night, police said.
Rodolf Vjerdha, 59, of Redwood City, was arrested around 4 p.m. Saturday in East Palo Alto after police learned he held a woman in his car and requested to enter her home Friday night.
The victim requested a ride through the Uber app after a night out with friends in Palo Alto, according to police. She decided to use Uber Pool, which allows other prospective riders to split the fare.
The Uber driver picked up the victim in the 200 block of University Avenue. Vjerdha told the woman that she must sit in the front passenger seat because he was expecting other fares and he wanted them to sit in the back.
When the victim sat in the front as instructed, she heard the driver call other pool passengers and tell them he was going to cancel their fares because they requested to be dropped off at locations in the opposite direction the woman was traveling.
During the trip to the victim’s home, Vjerdha locked the vehicle and touched the woman’s leg several times. The victim demanded the driver stop the vehicle so she could exit, but he continued to drive.
When they arrived at the victim’s home, the driver kissed the victim and asked her to let him into her apartment. The woman refused Vjerdha’s request, but she was unable to exit his car because he locked the door. She was able to exit the Uber driver’s car after several attempts.
East Palo Alto police officers are contacting neighboring agencies to determine if there are any other victims. Vjerdha drives a 2014 dark maroon or burgundy Kia Optima.
Police withheld a photo of the suspect because the investigation is ongoing.
Police encourage additional victims or police departments with similar reports to call Commander Jeff Liu at 650-853-5904.
Contact Katrina Cameron at 925-945-4782. Follow her at Twitter.com/KatCameron91.
