A man posing as an Uber driver is charged with raping a woman -- after ditching her boyfriend on the side of Interstate 435 near State Line Road in Leawood.
Dereje Gebremariam made his first appearance a Johnson County judge facing charges of aggravated kidnapping, rape and felony theft
Just a few weeks ago he was across the river in Jackson County where police arrested him.
Police said last month the 42-year-old from posed as an Uber driver and picked up a woman and her boyfriend from power and light.
As they were heading to the hotel on I-435 the alleged victim’s boyfriend decided that he needed to use the restroom so the driver pulled over in the area of State Line Road to let him use the bathroom. As soon as he stepped out the driver took off.
Gebremariam drove off with the man’s girlfriend still in the car, prosecutors said he raped the young woman before dropping her at the Sheraton on College Blvd in Overland Park, officials said.
“People are very trusting and that’s why individuals take advantage of people because they’re very trusting in society of other people and that trust is used against individuals,” Steve Howe, the Johnson County prosecutor said.
Police tracked Gebremariam down when he used the credit cards police say he stole from the woman’s boyfriend.
Digging into the suspect’s past we learned police arrested Gebremariam in 2013 for swiping credit cards from an Roeland Park woman. He used them at Walmart to buy groceries, coats and electronics, he was convicted and sentenced to prison for the crimes.
Law enforcement do believe he may connected to other cases.
“If any person has had contact with this individual and they feel suspicious behavior occurred to notify the Overland Park police department.
During his initial hearing, the judge increased Gebremariam’s bond from $250,000 to $500,000.
His next court hearing is set for Sept. 15 at 9:30 a.m.
