Purcell man accused of groping female Lyft driver
Oklahoma City police arrested a Purcell man early Sunday after he reportedly groped his female Lyft driver.
James Corey McGuire, 49, was arrested on a sexual battery complaint about midnight at America’s Best Value Inn, 12001 N Interstate 35 Service Road.
The victim told police she picked up McGuire, whom she knew only as “Corey,” about 11:30 p.m. Saturday from Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse in Bricktown to drive him to his motel, according to a police report.
On the way to the motel, McGuire told the victim he liked her tank top and began touching her shoulder, but the victim told police she did not think much about it because McGuire was “very intoxicated,” according to the report.
McGuire then began touching the inside of the woman’s thigh and made comments about the size of her breasts before groping her breast multiple times, according to the report.
The woman told McGuire she was going to crash and was married, but McGuire said he didn’t care and was willing to die with her, according to the report.
In the motel parking lot, McGuire invited the victim to his room, saying he had a “pocket full of money” and a “happy ending,” but the woman declined, telling McGuire to get out of her car, according to the report.
McGuire begged the victim to go to his room and started pulling her hair, causing her to cry, according to the report.
The woman pushed McGuire out of the car and called police after watching McGuire walk to his room, according to the report.
When police asked McGuire whether he had recently taken a Lyft ride and how it was, he said, “Ugh, yeah,” and, “It was OK,” according to the report.
The victim began crying again after identifying McGuire as her assailant, according to the report, and McGuire was arrested.
McGuire was booked into the Oklahoma County jail. He remained there Monday on $5,000 bail.
Master Sgt. Gary Knight, a spokesman for the department, said drivers for ride-hailing apps often find themselves in precarious situations, but this driver handled the situation correctly.
“They’re letting somebody into their vehicle, somebody they don’t know... and you add to that that they’re highly intoxicated,” Knight said. “(The woman) did the right thing in getting to a point of safety and notifying the authorities.”
In a statement, Lyft spokeswoman Kate Margolis said the company encourages Lyft drivers who feel uncomfortable during a drive to end the ride and call the 24/7 Critical Response Line.
Margolis called the situation “deeply disturbing,” and said McGuire has been permanently banned from using the ridesharing service.
“Our thoughts are with the victim, who we have been in contact with to extend our full support,” Margolis said. “We have also reached out to law enforcement to offer our assistance with an investigation.”