Seeking Additional Victims: Man Pretending to be Rideshare Driver Arrested for Sexual Assault in Costa Mesa
Authorities are seeking more victims after apprehending a man who allegedly pretended to be a rideshare driver and sexually assaulted a woman in Costa Mesa. The incident came to light when Costa Mesa Police Department officers responded to a hospital call regarding a sexual assault victim on Feb. 27. The victim, who was intoxicated, had been picked up by a man posing as a rideshare driver. Instead of taking her home as promised, the man sexually assaulted her in the Newport Boulevard and East 21st Street area before dropping her off at a random location. The suspect, identified as Felipe Rico-Ceballos, 43, from Ontario, was arrested on charges of sexual assault and kidnapping.
Rico-Ceballos was employed by a rideshare company, and authorities suspect that there may be more individuals who have been victimized by him due to the nature of his employment. The Costa Mesa Police Department is urging anyone with information about the suspect to contact Detective E. Peralta at 714-754-5039 or Sergeant J. Jacobi at 714-754-5352. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against Rico-Ceballos, and the investigation is ongoing.
In conclusion, authorities are actively seeking additional victims following the arrest of a man who pretended to be a rideshare driver and sexually assaulted a woman in Costa Mesa. The suspect, identified as Felipe Rico-Ceballos, was apprehended on charges of sexual assault and kidnapping. If you have any information about the suspect or believe you may have been a victim, please contact the Costa Mesa Police Department.