Aurora police apprehended a ride-share driver after a 13-year-old girl accused him of sexually assaulting her during a ride. According to the Aurora Police Department (APD), on May 13, the teenager utilized an older friend’s Lyft account to request a ride home. The girl reported to the police that the driver pulled over during the trip and assaulted her inside the vehicle.
APD swiftly identified the driver, leading to the arrest of 38-year-old Shengfu Wu the following day on charges of sexual assault of a minor. It was discovered that Wu had been driving for both Lyft and Uber. While Lyft does not permit unaccompanied minors to use their service, Uber recently introduced an option for teens to ride alone.
In light of this incident, APD recommends that individuals under 18 avoid riding alone in ride-share vehicles. They suggest strategies such as staying on the phone with your child throughout the duration of the ride, maintaining constant contact, and tracking the location for added safety.
Wu’s car was impounded, and authorities worked with both ride-share companies to deactivate his accounts. Lyft’s policy emphasizes the importance of promptly reporting incidents of potential sexual assault, misconduct, or harassment through their app or by phone, as they conduct impartial and timely investigations into such complaints.
Although Wu has been released on bond and is no longer driving for ride-share services, law enforcement officials express concern that the young girl may not have been his first victim. They urge the public to contact the Aurora Police Department at 303-739-1800 with any additional information related to this case.
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