According to a Cook County judge’s ruling, a rideshare driver who is accused of sexually abusing a passenger on New Year’s Eve 2023 has been placed under arrest until trial.
Jose Alarcon Gonzales, 37, was a Lyft driver, according to the prosecution, when he picked up a woman who had left a bar early on December 31, 2023, and had requested a ride. A detention petition claims that shortly after the trip began, the woman realized Gonzales was headed in the incorrect direction and questioned him.
When she finally slept off, she discovered they were still off track when she woke up. She found the back doors and windows were locked when she made Gonzales stop the vehicle. Prosecutors said the woman tried to break out by kicking, beating, and tugging at the doors, but she was unable to do so.
The petition claims that Gonzales finally stopped at the 3700 block of North Narragansett Avenue, got into the back seat, and then lay on top of her. He then allegedly sexually assaulted her and tore off her clothing, according to the prosecution.
After kicking Gonzales, the woman eventually got out of the car.
Prosecutors stated that after Chicago police officers subpoenaed Lyft data, they were able to verify that the woman had ordered the ride with the right pickup and drop-off locations. Gonzales’ DNA was purportedly discovered on the woman’s underwear during a follow-up DNA test.
The detention motion was approved by Judge Susana Ortiz.
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