EL CAJON POLICE CHARGE FORMER UBER DRIVER WITH 5 MORE SEXUAL ASSAULTS, INCLUDING RAPE OF A 13-YR. OLD

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East County News Service

May 25, 2016 (El Cajon) – An Uber driver arrested for sexual assault in El Cajon in March now faces charges as a serial rapist. 

El Cajon Police have charged John David Sanchez, 52, with sexually assaulting five additional victims, including raping a 13-year-old child and raping an unconscious person.  Authorities believe those attacks occurred between 2011 and 2014 at Sanchez’s residence in San Diego.

Sanchez was released on bail two days after his March 29th arrest for sexually assaulting a female passenger while working as an Uber driver. Uber immediately suspended Sanchez.

During that investigation, El Cajon Police detectives identified the additional victims and with help from the San Diego District Attorney’s Office, obtained anew arrest warrant on May 24th.  Sanchez’s attorney arranged for Sanchez to surrender to El Cajon Police Detectives at the San Diego County Jail. 

He was taken into custody at approximately 5:30 p.m. yesterday and booked on 5 counts of 261(a)(4) PC – Rape of an Unconscious Person along with other felony sexual assault charges. 

The new victims do not appear to have any connection with Sanchez’ former employment as an Uber driver, said Lieutenant Rob Ransweiler with ECPD.

ECPD detectives are continuing to search for possible victims and/or witnesses.   Sanchez is Hispanic, 5 feet 7 inches tall, with wavy brown hair and brown eyes.  His car while working for Uber was a silver 2012 Scion XB. 

Uber issued this statement in March after Sanchez was arrested on the initial rape charge:""Uber takes safety incidents like this very seriously, and our thoughts are with the victim and her family. Uber immediately removed this driver-partner from the platform following our initial contact with the El Cajon Police Department. We have been working closely with law enforcement to assist their investigation."

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Mansour with El Cajon Police Department at (619) 441-5513 or tmansour@cityofelcajon.us. Individuals with information on this crime who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (888) 580-8477.

Sanchez is set for arraignment on May 26 at 1:30 p.m. in the El Cajon Courthouse. His bail has been set for $1 million.


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