FLORIDA MAN PRETENDED TO BE AN UBER DRIVER TO PICK UP AND RAPE WOMAN, COPS SAY

Claiming to be an woman's Uber driver, a Fort Lauderdale man picked up a victim, brought her back to his apartment and raped her, authorities say.

The victim accidentally entered the wrong car, thinking it was the Uber she had requested. She was in the area for spring break and had been separated from her friends, police said. 

Shapsly Silencieux, 37, was arrested for the crime after the victim gave authorities his license plate number, according to Newsweek.

Silencieux works as an Uber driver, but had not been assigned to the woman's ride that night. Police in Florida did not respond to a FrontPageDetectives request for information on the case. 

"She walks up to the vehicle, says to the driver, 'Are you my Uber?' He says yes; she gets into the vehicle," Sergeant DeAnna Greenlaw of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department said during a press conference. "As they're driving away, she gets a notification on her phone that her Uber request has been canceled."

The woman was confused, but he reportedly told her that he needed to stop at his apartment to get money for gas, authorities said.

Silencieux then allegedly attacked and sexually assaulted her in his apartment before bringing her back to where she was staying, according to Newsweek.

The victim then reported the rape, and officers found Silencieux and took him into custody. The victim identified Silencieux in a police lineup, according to police. 

"Detectives are told that this victim knew that something was wrong. She attempted everything in her power to prevent the suspect from doing what he did," Sergeant Greenlaw said during the press conference.

"Everyone has the right to travel safely and our thoughts are with the victim after this horrific experience," an Uber spokesperson told Newsweek. "While this trip did not take place on the Uber app, we immediately removed the driver's access to the app as soon as this was reported to us."

Silencieux faces one count of sexual battery and has posted his $50,000 bond.