Uber driver arrested in sex assault case

An Uber driver suspected of sexually assaulting a client Thursday is in custody, Detroit Police said.

Deputy Police Chief David LeValley said the suspect turned himself in at about 2 a.m. Friday. The suspect's arrest came less than a day after investigators said they were searching for him. Police identified the suspect Thursday as Forid Ahmed, 29.

"The Uber driver turned himself in," said LeValley, who is with the department's detective bureau. "We didn't have to pick him up. Once we made contact with him, he came forward, no problem."

LeValley made the remarks during a news conference about the case held at Detroit Public Safety Headquarters on Third Street.

He said police were able to use information from the victim and Uber's global positioning satellite technology to locate the suspect.

The suspect does not have a previous criminal record, the deputy chief said.

LeValley said detectives with the department's sex crime unit are still gathering evidence in the case. He said they plan to submit their findings in the next 48 hours to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office to determine whether any charges will be filed.

Officials said the alleged assault happened at about 5:45 p.m. Thursday.

According to the authorities, the suspect picked up the victim, a 21-year-old woman, in the area of 5000 Cass Avenue and drove her to an unknown location, where he assaulted her inside his gray 2013 Toyota Camry.

LeValley said the victim is a student at Wayne State University but the alleged crime did not happen on campus.

He also said she was taken to a hospital for a medical examination and released.

The victim was able to escape from the vehicle in the area of 31st Street and Devereaux Avenue near Interstate 94 on the city's southwest side, according to authorities.

Police said the suspect fled the scene in his vehicle.

cramirez@detroitnews.com