TORONTO — Police have issued an arrest warrant for a 41-year-old Toronto Uber driver in connection with an alleged sexual assault.
Toronto police said that a 21-year-old woman used the ride-sharing service for a trip from Church Street and Wellesley Street area on June 20.
The driver allegedly picked the woman up, drove her home and sexually assaulted her in the car when they arrived at her destination, police said.
READ MORE: Police seeking Uber driver after passenger allegedly sexually assaulted in Toronto
“We actually had contact with him at the beginning but he’s refusing to come in so we’ve exhausted all our other avenues and so that’s why we’re putting his photo public,” Const. Victor Kwong said.
“We would obviously prefer not to put someone’s photo up on allegations … it’s only when we’ve exhausted all of our avenues that we go to the public.”
Investigators identified the driver as Fareborz Karandish, 41, of Toronto, with cooperation from Uber and police issued a warrant for his arrest.
“These are distressing allegations and our thoughts are with the rider,” Susie Heath, spokeswoman for Uber Canada said in a statement.
“When we first learned of this on June 20, we reached out to police immediately and removed the driver from our platform. We will continue to work with the authorities during their investigation.”
The suspect is described by police as having a tanned complexion, a large build with salt-and-pepper short hair and facial hair.
Police said he may be driving a 2014 black Honda Accord with Ontario licence plate BWME623.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at http://www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).
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