Man accused of pretending to be Uber driver and assaulting passenger

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Providence police said Monday a man is accused of pretending to be an Uber driver and assaulting a passenger over the weekend.

Maj. David Lapatin told ABC 6 News that a 31-year-old woman and her friend ordered an Uber to pick them up from Salon nightclub Saturday night.

The woman, Lapatin said, told officers they thought they were getting into the correct car but the driver “tricked them.”

“They had him pull over in front of Providence Place mall and she handed her phone to her friend to take a picture of the license plate, but the suspect grabbed the phone, threw it and it hit the Old Navy, setting off the alarm,” the major said.

The woman told officers the driver then grabbed her and threw her to the pavement. The woman refused medical treatment when police and fire arrived at the scene, Lapatin said.

“She is having trouble walking now,” he added.

Police said they are now searching for a silver car. No further information was immediately released.