Winnipeg taxi driver charged with sexual assault
A 55-year-old cab driver in Winnipeg has been charged with the sexual assault of a female passenger.
According to police, who called the suspect a "male was working in the capacity of providing local transportation", the incident happened around 11:30 p.m. CT on May 15.
The 22-year-old woman got into the cab in the area of Broadway and was driven to a secluded area in the 1100 block of Main Street, near Redwood Avenue. Along the way, the driver made inappropriate sexual advances toward her, which she declined, police said.
A short time later, the woman was sexually assaulted, police said.
Eventually, she was driven to her requested destination, where the woman called police.
On May 24, the driver, having learned of a police investigation, went to the woman's home and offered her money to drop the complaint, police said.
Again, the woman declined and reported it to the investigators.
The driver has been charged with sexual assault and attempting to obstruct justice.
He remains in police custody.
Safe ride-sharing group shocked
There have been numerous stories over the past couple of years about female passengers in Winnipeg being hit on or sexually assaulted by taxi drivers.
Natasha Soucie is with Ikwe Safe Ride Service which was created in response to reports of abusive cab drivers.
"I guess it's just mind-boggling. You would think that after all the bad attention they've had, that things would start getting better," Soucie said.
She said that she is encouraged to know that the woman went to the police twice.
"They say when one person stands up for something that's not right, it shows other people that it's not right as well and it will bring other people forward," she said. "I would say it's very empowering."
