Danny Maurad-Avecillas (inset, via Miami-Dade County Correctional Facility) is accused of posing as a woman’s Uber driver in South Beach and driving her to Motel 77 in Miami where she woke up naked with no memory of what happened. (Google Maps)
An Uber driver in Florida is behind bars after he allegedly tricked a woman into thinking he was her ride and took her to a pay-by-the-hour motel where she woke up naked, according to reports.
Now Miami police are investigating whether the suspect, 49-year-old Danny Maurad-Avecillas, has victimized other women, the agency said in a press release Saturday. So far Maurad-Avecillas only is charged with two fraudulent use of a credit card and one count of fraudulent possession of identification.
Local Fox affiliate WSVN posted video of Maurad-Avecillas’ probable cause hearing on Friday where the victim spoke.
“He made me believe that was my Uber and said, ‘Get in the car, get in the car,’ and that’s it,” the woman said. “It looked exactly like the car that I was waiting for.”
The outlet obtained an arrest affidavit that said the woman was getting a Uber from South Beach on Jan. 12. Thinking she was going to her Airbnb just a few minutes away, Maurad-Avecillas instead drove her over 20 minutes away to Motel 77, the affidavit reportedly said.
On the way, Maurad-Avecillas allegedly used the victim’s credit card to fill up his gas tank and also used it to pay for the motel.
The victim woke up hours later with no clothes on and no recollection of what happened to her. Cops said she may have been sexually assaulted.
Maurad-Avecillas did drive for Uber, the company said. Authorities believe he may have been tricking women into thinking he was their driver when he was not.
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“There are no words to describe this sickening behavior. We removed the driver’s access as soon as this was reported to us and are supporting law enforcement with their investigation,” Uber said in a statement.
Miami police area urging anyone with information about this incident or who may have been a victim of a similar crime to call the Special Victims Unit at 305-603-6300 or 305-579-6111 or [email protected].
