Cab Driver Arrested After Woman Claims She Was Sexually Assaulted
EDGEWATER, Colo. (CBS4) - Police have arrested a cab driver accused of sexually assaulting a passenger.
The incident happened early Thursday morning in Edgewater. The victim says Freedom cab driver Samuel Fikadu followed her into her home after dropping her off.
"He seemed real friendly and, you know, offered me a cigarette, hanging out, chatting along the way home," said the victim, who didn't want to be identified.
The victim says she had been out with friends and had a few drinks for her birthday. She took a cab home, unlocked her door, and when she turned around he was right there.
"And then he came onto me, and I just said, 'No, please.' "
Edgewater police say Fikadu was picked up in Green Valley Ranch without incident, and he was not in his cab. The FBI, Denver Safe Streets Task Force, and Denver police helped in the case.
Freedom Cab's general manager, Max Sarr, said all of their drivers are independent contractors and not employees of the company.
"It's concerning, very concerning," Sarr said.
"You're supposed to be able to take a cab home and feel safe, that's what they're there for," the victim said.
She said victims need to come forward and tell authorities.
"You've got to say something, you got to speak up," she said. "This happens so often and nobody says anything because it's embarrassing and it's hard … I just don't want him to do this to anyone else."
The victim said the driver took an imprint of her credit card before she got out of the car but those charges have never appeared.
