The San Mateo Police Department has made an arrest after a woman says she was sexually assaulted by a fake ride-share driver earlier this year.
The suspect has been identified as 40-year-old Brandon Sherman, of San Jose.
“As far as the possibility of other victims, I believe this individual is predatory, and I hope we caught him in time, but there’s always that potential,” San Mateo police Lt. Ryan Monhagan said.
According to authorities, the incident happened Tuesday, Aug. 14 around 7 p.m. when a passerby in the area reported an assault in the area of 1400 Fashion Island and Mariners Boulevards.
The victim told police the suspect drove her to a secluded area and sexually assaulted her near the Bridgepoint Shopping Center.
She was able to escape with the help of a passerby who called the police.
The suspect fled the area in a gray 4-door sedan.
Using surveillance video, police narrowed down the suspect vehicle to a 2010 Toyota Matrix, which helped lead them to Sherman who police say was positively identified by the victim.
It turns out at the time of the August attack, Sherman was a driver for Lyft and had been a driver for Uber but had recently been suspended.
“It was determined a complaint had been lodged to Uber about Sherman alleging misconduct and Uber suspended his privileges as a driver,” Lt. Monhagan said.
But police say Uber didn’t inform police of the alleged misconduct at the time and dragged their feet providing police information throughout the investigation.
“It took over three weeks to get cooperation from Uber, and at that point, who knows how long this individual was out there and how he may have preyed upon other individuals,” San Mateo Police Chief Susan Manheimer said.
Manheimer said it’s time for ride-share companies like Lyft and Uber to step up.
“Unless and until we start holding the ride-share companies more accountable to be responsive, and I believe they are taking (this) step but not quick enough for our victims out there who continue to suffer at their hands,” Manheimer said.
Police say a search of the suspect’s home yielded additional evidence linking him to the crime.
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