Uber driver charged with kidnapping, assaulting passenger in NC

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Police say an Uber driver kidnapped and sexually assaulted a female passenger in North Carolina.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports Kernersville police arrested 39-year-old Tarik Aitouali of Greensboro on Friday.

Kernersville police detective David de Mattos says the unidentified woman summoned the Uber service early Friday. He says the Uber driver didn't take the woman to her intended destination, but instead took her to a different location without her consent and committed the sexual offense against her while she was physically helpless.

Aitouali is being held in the Forsyth County jail under $150,000 bond. It's not known if he has an attorney who could comment on the charges of second-degree kidnapping and second-degree forcible sex offense.

Uber rides, sex abuse are subjects of new North Carolina laws

New North Carolina laws taking effect in October are designed to keep Uber and Lyft passengers safe, protect girls from sexual abuse and help people enter state-regulated trades.

All or parts of nearly 40 pieces of legislation the General Assembly approved this year take effect on Tuesday.

One law adds new requirements upon ride-sharing drivers over time. Now they must display license tag numbers at the front of their vehicles so consumers can match them easier with what's on their smartphones.

Another law makes it a felony to perform female genital mutilation on a child. The legislation responds to a judge's ruling last year determining a federal law against the practice is unconstitutional but that states can regulate it.

Simplified licensing qualifications for dozens of state-regulated professions begin on Tuesday.

Associated Press