FREMONT — A Lyft driver has been criminally charged in the sexual assault last month of a female passenger he had convinced to come to his home with him where she was given marijuana and raped, police said Wednesday.
Jaswanthreddy Baireddy, 24, is charged with rape by means where the victim is unconscious, forced oral copulation where the victim is unconscious and forced digital penetration where the victim is prevented from resisting due to intoxicating substance.
He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for a preliminary examination on May 22. He is being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail.
In a news release Wednesday, police said on April 8, the 29-year-old victim ordered a ride from Oakland using Lyft ride sharing application.
Baireddy picked her up and initially drove her to a Berkeley address where she thought a friend of hers was. But the friend was not at the address.
Police said Baireddy then told her he was “off duty” and offered to give the woman a ride to her residence. Police did not say where the residence was but said the woman believed she was going to be taken home.
Police said Baireddy, who was driving a rented white Hyundai Elantra, drove past the victim’s freeway exit. She told him he had missed the exit and expressed a desire to go home. Bareddy then suggested the woman rest while he got her food.
He drove to Fremont and stopped at a drive-through restaurant before bringing the woman to his home in the 38000 block of Camden Street, police said.
Inside the home, he offered her marijuana and shortly later directed her upstairs, telling her he was too tired to drive and suggesting she lay down, police said. Soon after that the woman was sexually assaulted, police said.
Baireddy then drove her home, police said.
The woman sought medical care and contacted another police agency. But when it was determined she had been assaulted in Fremont, Fremont police took over the investigation..
Police said Bareddy was contacted and provided a statement. Police did not say what he told investigators, but based on his statement, the woman’s statement and physical evidence, Baireddy was arrested May 1. He was formally charged May 4. Police said he returned the rental car prior to his arrest.
Police are still investigating and are asking that anyone with information about the assault or any other incidents involving Baireddy to call Detective C. Tang at 510-790-6900 or via email at ctang@fremont.gov.
Check back for updates.