Uber passenger arrested, accused of groping driver

PHOENIX - An Arizona man is behind bars, accused of sexually abusing an Uber driver. Police say while in the front seat of the Uber driver's car, he touched her multiple times.

According to court paperwork, police say the driver was taking 35-year-old Danny Hale, Jr. from Gilbert to Scottsdale around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday. Hale was sitting in the front seat, reached over and grabbed the victim's breasts.

After the victim told Hale to stop and pushed him away, he reached his hand into her lap and touched her private area over her jeans. The victim pulled her car off the Loop 202 freeway, she told Hale to get out and called the police.

Officers caught up with Hale in a nearby parking lot.

Authorities say Hale was heavily intoxicated when he was arrested. He told police he did touch the victim to try and calm her down, but denied touching her inappropriately.

Hale is from Kingman. A judge set his bond at $10,000 and set a court date for next week.

Statement from Uber:
"The behavior the driver reported is unacceptable and clearly against Uber's policies. The riders have been removed from the app while we continue to look into this incident."