Man posing as rideshare driver sexually assaults intoxicated passenger in Orange County, police say

"A man who works as a rideshare driver lured a woman into his vehicle and sexually assaulted her in Newport Beach before abandoning her elsewhere, authorities said. During the investigation, police identified the suspect as 43-year-old Ontario resident Felipe Rico-Ceballos, who officials said does work as a rideshare driver but was only posing as one during the assault."

"Authorities say he told the intoxicated victim that he could help her get home, police said. Rico-Ceballos allegedly drove the woman to another location and sexually assaulted her before dropping her off at a third location. On Mar. 5, police arrested Rico-Ceballos on suspicion of sexual assault and kidnapping."

"Investigators are now trying to identify other potential victims. Anyone with information has been asked to contact Costa Mesa police Det. Peralta at [phone] or Sergeant Jacobi at [phone]."

Costa Mesa police arrested 43-year-old Felipe Rico-Ceballos on March 5 following a sexual assault reported on February 27. Rico-Ceballos, an Ontario resident who works as a rideshare driver, allegedly posed as one to target an intoxicated woman. He offered to help her get home, then drove her to an undisclosed location where he sexually assaulted her before dropping her off elsewhere. Police are investigating whether additional victims exist and are requesting information from the public to identify other potential cases.

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