Uber Driver Charged With Assaulting Passenger
QUINCY (CBS) – An Uber driver was arrested Wednesday in Quincy on sexual assault charges after a passenger texted her friend to alert police about an incident inside the car.
The passenger's friend called police just before 1 p.m. after receiving a screenshot of the Uber's location.
Police say Kastriot Naksi, 46, of West Roxbury picked up the victim in a gray Honda Civic. Officers met the victim's friend at the location the Uber was supposed to arrive at and the caller provided the license plate number of the vehicle.
A be on the lookout was issued for the car, and officers tracked it down about 20 minutes later.
The victim told police that on the way to Quincy, Naksi pulled over to the side of the road and told her to get in the front seat.
Because the woman had ordered a ride-share Uber, she agreed.
She then said Naksi touched her inappropriately. When she told Naksi to stop and let her out, he allegedly locked the door.
That was when the woman texted her friend, who contacted Quincy Police.
Naksi was arrested on charges of kidnapping and indecent assault and battery.
He cried while entering the courtroom during his arraignment on Thursday.
The prosecutor in the case says the 22-year-old passenger took cell phone video of the driver touching and rubbing her, telling her he loves her and wants to marry her.
Naksi's family members were in the courthouse and said there must be some sort of misunderstanding. They described Naksi as a hard-working family man who is an immigrant from Albania.
"I have been married to him for 23 years and I know what kind of husband I have. So that is impossible for him to do," his wife Monika said.
One of Naksi's sons said while leaving court that the family would sue the victim for defamation when his father is found innocent.
"The quote unquote victim, she can just say something to police and they believe it, he comes into custody. He might risk losing his job now," Kledion Naksi said.
Kastriot Naksi was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on December 6.
"What's been described is deeply concerning. Upon learning of this, we immediately removed the driver's access to the app and we stand ready to assist law enforcement with their investigation," an Uber spokesman said in a statement.
