Anuj Kumar, 32, sits in the Santa Clara County Main Jail on suspicion of sexual assault of a minor. The arrest followed a 10:30 p.m. call to the San Jose Police Department on September 12. The victim, a 14-year-old boy, had just stepped out of an Uber in the 100 block of Paseo de San Antonio, near the Hammer Theatre at San Jose State University.
Court records detail a sinister escalation: after allegedly touching the teen, Kumar activated the car's child locks. He trapped the boy inside the vehicle, preventing escape. The teen managed to free himself, get out near his destination, and immediately contact authorities. Police spokesperson Stacie Shih noted the quick report allowed investigators to move fast.
Kumar had maintained a 4.95-star rating on Uber for two and a half years. That impeccable score masked the allegations now under investigation. Using automated license-plate reader data, officers linked the vehicle to Kumar. Foster City police swarmed his home the next day, September 13, to cuff him.
Uber reacted swiftly, permanently banning Kumar from the platform. A company spokesperson called the reported behavior "deeply disturbing" and pledged support to law enforcement. The immediate ban cuts off a potential escape route for the suspect, but the broader hunt continues.
Detective Hoang from the Sexual Assaults Investigation Unit warns the list of victims may be longer. Residents of the Bay Area with information or those who experienced similar incidents must call 408-277-4102 or email 4684@sanjoseca.gov. The next 72 hours will determine if this was an isolated incident or part of a wider pattern.