Scottsdale Uber Driver Accused Of Raping Passenger: Police

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Scottsdale police arrested an Uber driver Monday on suspicion of sexual assault and kidnapping, court records show.

The Scottsdale Police Department said that 30-year-old Mark Anthony Taylor was arrested and accused of sexually assaulting a female passenger he picked up from a Scottsdale house party early Saturday morning.

He is currently being held on a $100,000 secured appearance bond. Patch has requested a copy of the police report detailing his arrest.

Police said the 23-year-old victim told them she had no memory of what happened, but she did realize her jeans were on inside out and her underwear was missing.

Taylor acknowledged that he knew the victim was drunk and attempted to convince detectives that the sexual contact was initiated by her, according to police.

A spokesperson for Uber told Patch that the driver has been removed from the app and the company is assisting law enforcement with the investigation.

“What’s been reported is sickening and our thoughts are with the rider during this difficult time," the spokesperson said in a statement. "We immediately deactivated the driver and stand ready to work with law enforcement.”

Every ride-share driver undergoes a strict background check before they are hired, including criminal history.

Uber has a number of safety features in place for both riders and drivers, including an emergency button, share trip feature and 911 integration technology. Every trip is tracked and the data is stored with the company.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.