A Lyft driver in New York City was arrested nearly two weeks after he allegedly exposed himself to a 14-year-old in the backseat and pleasured himself.
Sources told New York Post that the rideshare company refused to provide police with Narinderjit Singh’s full name, essentially allowing him to continue to pick up fares for 12 days following the October 12 incident. The victim reportedly filmed Singh, 25, after noticing him looking at her via his rearview mirror and touching himself.
While the brief three-second video was turned over to police, retired officer and the family’s lawyer, Joseph Murray, said Lyft refused to provide them with the suspect’s last name without a subpoena. Murray said he ultimately reached out to Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) prosecuting attorney Mark E. Wheeler, who accessed the database and located the driver’s name.
Citing police, Business Insider reported Singh was charged with charged with endangering the welfare of a child and harassment.
Despite this, Murray believes Lyft shouldn’t be let off the hook.
“Lyft allowed this person to drive 12 more days while he was named and wanted by police—picking up passengers who could’ve become victims,” he told the Post.
“This is legalized hitchhiking.”
Murray has since urged state officials to require companies to provide authorities with a driver’s identity when they’re wanted for probable cause.
A TLC spokesperson told the newspaper that Singh’s license has been suspended pending the outcome of a criminal investigation. Lyft has reportedly banned the driver and contacted local police to assist in their investigation; a company rep. said they’ve “been in touch with the passenger’s family to extend our support.”
Murray concluded, “It should not have taken 12 days to identify and arrest this perpetrator whose identity was being shielded by Lyft. Most importantly, the victim should not be made to feel that the privacy rights of the perpetrator supersede her rights as a crime victim.”
[Featured image: Josh Edelson/AP Images for Lyft]
