Uber driver charged with sexually abusing passenger on North Side is ‘a risk to every woman’: judge
A recent incident involving a rideshare driver has shocked and alarmed many, as the driver has been accused of sexually abusing a female passenger he picked up at a North Side bar. The 26-year-old Uber driver, Basel Alwai, is facing serious charges after allegedly committing this heinous act.
According to prosecutors, the woman had ordered a ride after leaving a bar on January 25th. Alwai accepted the job and asked the woman to sit in the front seat instead of the back. However, he then canceled the ride in the Uber app and proceeded to make unwanted advances towards the woman. This included grabbing her thighs and kissing her whenever the vehicle stopped.
The situation escalated when Alwai asked the woman if she wanted coffee and pulled into a 7-Eleven parking lot, where he locked the doors. Prosecutors stated that he forcibly kissed the woman and groped her, even as she tried to push his hands away. Additionally, he allegedly locked the doors so she couldn’t escape and took her phone to prevent her from calling for help. He even put his number in her phone and asked her to call him to set up a date.
The severity of the situation led Judge Deidre Dyer to grant the state’s detention petition, describing the alleged behavior as an “opportunistic crime” that poses a risk to every woman. Alwai is facing charges of unlawful restraint and aggravated criminal sexual abuse during the commission of another felony.
This disturbing incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and vigilance, especially when using rideshare services. It is crucial for passengers to be aware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious or inappropriate behavior immediately. Our thoughts are with the victim of this horrific ordeal, and we hope that justice will be served in this case.
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