Santa Maria Uber driver wanted for rape, caught at Mexican border

May 24, 2019

By JOSH FRIEDMAN

Authorities have arrested another Santa Maria Uber driver for allegedly raping a passenger, this time taking the suspect into custody at the United States-Mexico border. [Cal Coast Times]

Late last month, a woman told police she had an Uber driver pick her up and drive her to a location in Santa Maria. Upon reaching the destination, the driver took her to another location and sexually assaulted her, the woman said.

Detectives identified the suspect as 37-year-old Shadi Aziz Abdul. Detectives took the case to a judge, and a warrant was issued for Abdul’s arrest.

Last week, ICE agents located Abdul at the United States-Mexico border in San Diego and arrested him, according to the Santa Maria Police Department. On Monday, authorities transported Abdul from San Diego to the Santa Barbara County Jail, where he was booked on a charge of rape.

An investigation into the case is ongoing. Detectives believe there may be other victims or witnesses to this incident or similar crimes.

Anyone who has information about the case is asked to call Detective Silver at (805) 928-3781 ext. 1346.

Last year, police arrested another Uber driver who was living in Santa Maria and accused of rape. Alfonso Alarcon-Nunez, an illegal immigrant who had previously been deported to Mexico, allegedly lured intoxicated women, including SLO County college students, into his vehicle. He then followed them inside their homes, sexually assaulted them, stole valuables from them, and charged them excessive amounts for their rides.

Additionally, in November, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Lyft driver, Jason Lamont Fenwick, for allegedly sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman and then burglarizing her Nipomo home.