WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — A man was arrested in West Valley City after police said he assaulted a ride-share driver and allegedly tried to kidnap her.
Nathaniel Fa'amau Laulu, 22, was officially charged by prosecutors on Tuesday and faces charges of aggravated kidnapping and forcible sexual abuse. He is being held without bail as prosecutors say he is a flight risk.
According to court documents, the assault was reported on April 11 by the victim. She told police that she was working as a ride-share driver when she picked up Laulu in the early morning hours.
As they approached the drop-off location, the victim told police that Laulu told her to keep driving and started to grab and touch her from behind.
Investigators said the victim drove to a neighborhood where Laulu allegedly grabbed the car's steering wheel and took the keys. The victim continued to struggle against Laulu and, at one point, called 9-1-1.
The call to first responders allegedly scared Laulu, and he got out of the car and walked away.
Following his arrest, he allegedly told police that he had touched the driver without her permission.
