The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office says a Lyft driver kidnapped and raped a 43-year-old woman who had hired the driver. Deputies arrested 30-year-old Yousef Hamed and booked him for second degree rape and second degree kidnapping.
"Hamed was working as a Lyft driver and is accused of kidnapping and raping a 43-year-old female that he picked up as a fare," the sheriff's office said.
According to authorities, the crime was initially reported to New Orleans Police on January 24. NOPD referred it to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office because the alleged crime happened in Harvey.
"The victim called for a Lyft to take her home after a night of drinking at around 10:00 pm on January 23," in the Bywater, said the sheriff's office. The news release states that Hamed "was supposed to bring her to her residence, only a few blocks away. Instead, Hamed took her to his residence in the 2200 block of Manhattan Boulevard in Harvey."
Deputies say Hamed asked the woman to come inside, and she did.
"While inside, Hamed removed her clothing before vaginally and anally raping her," the news release states. "Hamed then returned her to the Bywater area and dropped her off."
Police say the victim, due to her state of intoxication, wasn't sure where the rape happened. NOPD, during their part of the investigation, obtained records from Lyft that showed the offense likely took place on Manhattan Blvd., and notified JPSO.
"After being located and arrested by members of the JPSO Personal Violence Section on February 5, 2019, Hamed stated that he had consensual sexual contact with the victim," said the sheriff's office. "Hamed also stated that the victim acted in a 'childish' manner and admitted that she was intoxicated during the incident."