EMERYVILLE — A Lyft driver is in jail facing charges that he attacked a woman inside his car, after she refused his sexual advances, according to court records.
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The 71-year-old alleged victim told police that it was just like any other rideshare at first — her driver, 30-year-old Aman Kumar, took her to a supermarket and an ATM, then drove her back home. But when he asked her for sex and she said no, she heard the car door locks click, authorities allege.
Then he attacked, police said, reaching under her shirt and groping her while continually propositioning her. She fought back, got herself out of the car, and called 911.
Now Kumar is facing charges of false imprisonment, sexual battery, and sexual with intent to commit a sex crime, court records show. He is in jail for now, but at an Aug. 27 bail hearing a judge could sign off on his release.
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The alleged attack happened in Emeryville on June 26. Kumar, a San Jose resident, was charged on Aug. 4 after police received records from Lyft that helped them identify him as her driver, according to court records.
Lyft, which contracts drivers, didn’t immediately return requests for comment to the company’s media email address.
The charges include enhancements alleging the victim was “vulnerable” and the false imprisonment contains an allegation that he victimized an “elder” woman, according to the criminal complaint. The charging records make no mention of Kumar having any prior criminal history.
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Kumar was arrested on Aug. 3 in Oakley, authorities said.
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