Fake Uber driver nightmare: Allegedly choked, raped unsuspecting woman passenger

A fake Uber driver who allegedly lured a woman into his SUV in the Westlake District and then choked and raped her was in custody Monday.

After reports of a woman screaming, responding officers could see the assault in progress, and officers tried to get into the vehicle, which was locked. The suspect allegedly tried to drive his vehicle towards an officer, and the officer fired one round at the SUV but missed.

The case, according to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, should serve as a warning to anyone using a ride-hailing service to be sure the vehicle and driver are authentic.

Dartanyun Smith, 39, of Los Angeles, was arrested Saturday morning at a South Los Angeles residence, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck said.

Smith was booked on suspicion of kidnapping and rape stemming from the April 3 attack. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Investigators from the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division followed leads that included DNA evidence to make the arrest, Beck said at a news conference with Garcetti. Authorities said Smith is a gang member with an “extensive” criminal record that includes prison time.

Officers were dispatched about 3:35 a.m. April 3 to the 1300 block of Ingraham Street in response to a report of a woman screaming. They found a man and a woman in the rear of a dark-colored SUV, which was parked at the curb, police said.

During the encounter, Smith allegedly accelerated toward Officer Jhoel DeJesus, a 14-year department veteran, who fired one shot at the suspect but missed. The department’s Force Investigation Division is reviewing the shooting.

The suspect ultimately drove off with the victim still inside, but the woman managed to escape a few blocks away, police said.

Beck said the suspect choked the woman to unconsciousness at least three times when she was in the SUV, but she valiantly fought back against her attacker, and screamed so loudly that neighbors heard the commotion and called police.

Police said the woman was waiting for an Uber driver when the suspect pulled alongside her and asked if she was waiting for Uber. He convinced her that he was the Uber driver, and the woman got into the vehicle, police said.

Garcetti said the case should serve as a warning for people who use ride- hailing services.

“This was a situation where somebody else had ordered the Uber for her,” Garcetti said. “For folks who use ride-share, make sure that you have the phone yourself so you can confirm who it is and what the car is.”

Beck echoed that warning, stressing that he does not believe the victim shares any blame for the attack.

“But it is so important that when you’re using a ride application like Uber to make sure that the person you’re getting into the car of is the person they say they are,” Beck said.

—Staff and wire reports