Rideshare driver arrested for sexual assault of intoxicated passenger in Costa Mesa, police say

COSTA MESA, Calif. (KABC) -- A rideshare driver was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman last month in Costa Mesa, authorities said.

Ontario resident Felipe Rico-Ceballos, 43, is accused of attacking the victim Feb. 27 in the 2100 block of Newport Boulevard, near 22nd Street, Costa Mesa Police Department said in a Wednesday statement.

"The suspect posed as a rideshare driver and told the intoxicated victim he would help her get home," the news release said. "The suspect drove the victim to another location, where he sexually assaulted her. After the assault, the suspect dropped her off at a third location."

Officers took Rico-Ceballos into custody on March 5. He was arrested on multiple counts of sexual assault and kidnapping, police said.

"During the course of the investigation, it was determined Rico-Ceballos does work for a rideshare company," the statement said. "Due to the nature of his employment, detectives are seeking the public's assistance in identifying potential additional victims of Rico-Ceballos."

Anyone with information or who believes they are a victim of Rico-Ceballos was asked to contact Detective E. Peralta at (714) 754-5039 or Sergeant J. Jacobi at (714) 754-5352.

City News Service contributed to this report.