Rideshare Driver Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault of Minor Passenger in Aurora

The Aurora Police Department (APD) has taken swift action by apprehending a rideshare driver accused of sexually assaulting a teenage passenger during a ride.

Aurora police arrested a ride-share driver after a teenager claimed he allegedly sexually assaulted her in his car. (Photo: The Bold Italic)

Rideshare Driver Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault

The disturbing incident happened on May 13 when a 13-year-old girl utilized an older friend’s Lyft account to request a ride home.

The young victim reported to the police that the rideshare driver pulled over during the trip and allegedly assaulted her inside the vehicle, CBS reported.

Identification of the rideshare driver suspect was promptly established by the APD, leading to the arrest of 38-year-old Shengfu Wu the following day. Investigations revealed that Wu had been operating as a rideshare driver for both Lyft and Uber.

While Lyft’s policy prohibits unaccompanied minors from riding, Uber recently introduced an option for teens to ride independently.

In light of this incident, the APD strongly advises against underage users traveling alone in rideshare services.

They recommend various safety measures, such as remaining on the phone with a child throughout the journey, ensuring constant communication, and tracking the location.

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Rideshare Driver Released on Bond

Although rideshare driver Wu has been released on bond, concerns arise that the teenage victim may not have been his first target.

Investigating authorities suspect that there may have been previous instances of inappropriate contact or sexual misconduct that went unreported due to the brazen nature of his actions as a rideshare driver.

Law enforcement impounded rideshare driver Wu’s vehicle and collaborated with the rideshare companies to deactivate his accounts.

Lyft’s policy regarding assault emphasizes the importance of reporting such incidents promptly and outlines the process for users to submit complaints via the Lyft app or phone, ensuring impartial and timely investigations.

The Aurora Police Department appeals to the public for any additional information related to this case and urges individuals to contact them at 303-739-1800.

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