Uber driver arrested for putting hand in passenger's blouse: 'She was asking for it'

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 26 (UPI) -- An Uber driver in Florida was arrested for inappropriately touching a female passenger, blaming his behavior on the way she was dressed.

Orlando Police said Ramy Botros failed to drive directly to his passenger's destination, instead pulling over and putting his hand down her blouse. He was booked into Orange County Jail and has been charged with battery.

Botros picked the victim up last Friday, September 19, from Miller's Ale House in Winter Park after her boyfriend requested the ride.

The victim said Botros, 28, drove aimlessly around, commenting about how pretty she was and how attractive he found her, according to the police report. Then, she said, he pulled the vehicle over and put his hand inside her blouse.

The victim demanded he stop touching her and insisted he continue to her destination. Police said she pretended she wasn't upset, to keep from upsetting Botros. When they arrived at her destination, she asked for his business card and immediately called police.

The victim recorded the alleged assault on her phone, telling police she had decided to tape the encounter because she had heard about other incidences of Uber drivers assaulting passengers. Police have not made the recording public.

During questioning, Botros told police, "in Egypt, if a girl like her dresses like this, it means she's asking for it."

"Basically, he was told by the detectives he is not in his country and it is not acceptable in America," said Sgt. Lovetta Quinn-Henry of the Orlando Police Department. "Unfortunately, the Uber driver took advantage of it because he felt it necessary to put his hand down her shirt."

Uber said it had suspended the driver's account pending the outcome of the investigation.

"Rider safety is Uber's No. 1 priority," the ride-sharing company said in a statement. "We take reports like this seriously and are treating the matter with utmost urgency and care."