Hialeah police are asking other possible victims to come forward after arresting a 51-year-old Uber driver in the sexual assault of a 63-year-old woman. Joe Luis Suarez Pozo was taken into custody Monday on one count of sexual battery, police said. The alleged attack happened at a Hialeah park in February, and the woman reported it in July.
Miami-Dade County Judge Mindy Glazer found probable cause in the case during a court appearance Tuesday. Court records show Suarez Pozo posted a $7,500 bond that day, but he was still being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center Tuesday night.
Hialeah police spokesperson Eddie Rodriguez said the two met when Suarez Pozo drove the woman to Boca Raton on an Uber trip. They exchanged phone numbers, and a few days later he suggested meeting for coffee to talk business. Rodriguez said she grew suspicious when they drove past the cafe and parked near a park, where the attack occurred.
According to the police report, the woman told investigators she was forced to touch him and then forced into sex without protection. She said he drove her home afterward. Rodriguez said she sought professional help before reporting the incident about five months later.
Uber said it banned Suarez Pozo from its platform after learning of the allegations. The company said the assault did not happen during a trip but that it is ready to help investigators.
Police said the investigation remains open. Anyone who had a similar encounter with Suarez Pozo, even one that did not involve an assault, is urged to contact investigators.
