Transient Charged With Attacking Lyft Driver in Anaheim

Anaheim Police Department in Anaheim Calif., on Sept. 10, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 26-year-old convicted thief was behind bars Dec. 23 on charges of sexually assaulting and robbing a Lyft driver in Anaheim.

Samuel Nicholas Rodriguez, who has a lengthy criminal record for car thefts, was being held without bail as he awaits arraignment Jan. 6 on charges of assault with the intent to commit a sex offense, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and dissuading a witness by force, all felonies. He also faces sentencing enhancements for the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a sex offense and the personal use of a deadly weapon.

Rodriguez, who is a transient, called for a Lyft ride about 7:15 a.m. Dec. 18 and was picked up by a woman in west Anaheim, Anaheim police Lt. Shane Carringer said. Rodriguez allegedly attacked the driver with a knife and attempted to rape her during the ride, but she was able to get out of the vehicle and call for help, Carringer said.

Rodriguez was arrested Tuesday, Carringer said.

He had been in custody from Dec. 2 to Dec. 13, according to jail records. Rodriguez pleaded guilty in August to theft with a prior felony conviction of driving or taking of a vehicle and misdemeanor petty theft.

Rodriguez pleaded guilty in April to a felony count of stealing a car with a prior felony conviction.

The defendant pleaded guilty in April of last year to a felony count of buying or receiving a stolen vehicle or equipment with a prior felony conviction and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

He pleaded guilty to buying or receiving a stolen vehicle or equipment with a prior felony conviction and theft with a prior felony conviction of driving or taking of a vehicle, both felonies, and a misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance in February of last year.

Rodriguez pleaded guilty to theft with a prior felony conviction and buying or receiving a stolen vehicle with a prior conviction, both felonies, and a misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance in May of 2019.

He pleaded guilty to felony car theft and misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without a valid license in May of 2018. He also pleaded guilty to burglary and possession of personal identifying information and a controlled substance in March of 2016.