Miami police warn public after victim claims Uber driver drugged, raped, robbed her

MIAMI – Miami police officers are reaching out to the public, sharing a story of a victim who believes she was kidnapped, raped, drugged and robbed.

Investigators want to know if anyone has been victimized by 49-year-old Danny Estalin Maurad Avecillas.

According to police, he was an Uber driver who detectives believe sometimes did not use the app to give rides.

A woman visiting South Florida from California said it happened back in January when she was on South Beach and had too much to drink.

She claims to have been waiting on an Uber when Maurad convinced her to get into his gray Chevy Traverse.

The victim told detectives she only remembers waking up naked and in pain at a Motel 77 on Southwest Eighth Street.

She said based off the injuries she sustained, she believes she was drugged, otherwise she wouldn’t have been able to tolerate the pain.

Police said that during their investigation, they learned that the victim had several unauthorized transactions made on her credit cards.

Local 10 News reached out to Uber, with a spokesperson saying in a statement:

“There are no words to describe this sickening behavior. We removed the driver’s access as soon as this was reported to us and are supporting law enforcement with their investigation.”

Police think there may be more victims out there.

Maurad remains in jail without bond. The maximum penalty for the kidnapping charge on its own, if convicted, is life in prison.


About the Author

Christian De La Rosa joined Local 10 News in April 2017 after spending time as a reporter and anchor in Atlanta, San Diego, Orlando and Panama City Beach.

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