A rideshare driver for Lyft has been arrested and accused of kidnapping and raping an intoxicated passenger in Jefferson Parish. Authorities say 30-year-old Yousef Hamed picked up the victim from a bar and instead of taking her to her home, he then took her to his home in Harvey and raped the woman. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto
“A friend had ordered a Lyft for her while she was in an intoxicated condition trying to get back to her residence. That Lyft driver obviously took advantage of the woman who was in an intoxicated state.”
Lopinto says the incident happened late last month and was being investigated by New Orleans Police. Upon the receiving evidence to track down the driver, NOPD turned to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputies where the crime had occurred.
“We had done our follow up investigation and brought the person in and made the arrest for not only the kidnapping but also the rape charges.”
Lopinto says Hamad broke the responsibility he had to the passenger in getting her home safely.
“This is a person that is entrusted to bring somebody home, we want you to not drive drunk, we want you to get home safely.”
Hamed’s bond was set at $400,000.
