NPD: Uber suspends driver during attempted rape investigation

Posted on October 29, 2019
Normal Police Department
Normal Police have not made an arrest after an ISU student accused an Uber driver of trying to rape her. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Howard Packowitz and HOI-ABC

NORMAL – An Uber driver is banned from picking up passengers while Normal Police investigate him for an alleged rape attempt.

The driver has not been arrested, but Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner told news partner Heart of Illinois-ABC the department contacted Uber about the case.

“We’ve taken steps to make sure that driver, his status has been suspended, so he’s no longer able to drive while the investigation is occurring, so that way we did not incur any additional victims,” Bleichner said.

An 18-year old Illinois State University student said she got into an Uber after leaving an off-campus party. She told authorities the driver groped and tried to have sex with her after pulling onto an unknown side street about 3 a.m. Saturday.

The public first learned about the incident just before 6 p.m. Saturday in an ISU Police Campus Crime Advisory.

On its website, Uber claims it does criminal background checks on drivers.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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