Some say it's a safe and easy way to get around the city, but one woman says she's the victim of sexual assault from an Uber ride share driver.
Forty-six-year-old Alejandro Done of Boston was arraigned on charges of rape, assault to rape, kidnapping and two counts of assault and battery.
Police in Cambridge, Massachusetts, say they are still investigating.
"It's shocking to hear, especially since they say they do thorough background checks," said user Samantha Hernandez.
Boston Police say a woman was picked up by Done at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6. A friend of the woman called the ride sharing company from a residence after they had been out at a bar.
Done then drove to a location the woman wasn't familiar with, pulled over and jumped in the backseat where she sat, according to the D.A.'s Office. Done allegedly hit her, strangled her, locked the car doors preventing her escape and covered her mouth to keep her from screaming, and then allegedly sexually assaulted her during the struggle.
The Middlesex D.A.'s Office says it's not known at this time if Done used information as an Uber driver to target the alleged victim.
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Uber has been cooperative in the investigation, the D.A.'s Office said, and their records helped Cambridge Police to identify Done as the suspect.
Boston Police say they haven't connected this case with three recent alleged sexual assaults committed by rideshare drivers. Women who use the ride share service say they try to use precaution when catching a ride.
"Keep your cell phone on you, close," said Chantall Richards. "Always take the cab's number and name."
"Try not to take it alone, try and bring a friend," said Ky Monihan. "I've heard incidents about taxi drivers attacking people, too."
