An app transportation driver was arrested in Tempe for sexually assaulting a female customer on Halloween night. The suspect, Mario Bernell Hernandez, 31, allegedly picked up the woman around 3:00 a.m. and asked her to sit in the front seat. During the ride, he allegedly touched and kissed her, threw money at her, and inappropriately exposed himself. The victim attempted to get out of the moving car, but he did not allow her to do so.
Attorney and former police officer Anthony Ramirez commented that aggressors often “test the limits” in these types of situations. He stressed the importance of avoiding sitting too close to the driver when possible and trusting one’s instincts.
https://youtu.be/cKYW7jvQEFU?si=I9J56zPYI33SQbt
Uber offers a safety tool within the app with an emergency button that directly connects the passenger to 911. Some young people are opting for driverless cars, such as those from Waymo, for safety reasons.
Ramirez reminded users to “stay alert” when using app-based transportation services.
Court documents indicate that Hernandez admitted to sexual abuse and indecent exposure, and an Uber spokesperson confirmed that he was permanently banned from the platform.
