San Francisco

Serial Rapist Using Ride-Share to Prey on Victims Arrested: SFPD

Law enforcement officials arrested San Mateo resident Orlando Vilchez Lazo, 37, on four counts of rape by force and other assault charges

A serial rapist who police said disguised himself as a rideshare driver to prey on victims has been arrested, the San Francisco Police Department announced Friday.

Law enforcement officials arrested San Mateo resident Orlando Vilchez Lazo, 37, on four counts of rape by force and other assault charges. SFPD said Laso waited outside local bars in San Francisco for women looking for their ride-share vehicles, and took them to another location and assaulted them.

"The physical evidence is what gives investigators the missing link," said SFPD Commander Greg McEachern.

The first incident dates back to 2013 and three other rapes were reported in 2018, said McEachern.

"These assaults were violent rapes by a serial rapist who wasn't going to stop until he got caught," McEachern said.

McEachern said investigators are looking into whether Lazo was actually a registered ride-share driver. He said investigators believe there are other victims and urges them to come forward.

"Even though we have made an arrest in this horrific crime that we believe there are other victims that may be out there, there are other witnesses that may come forward," Mcachern said.

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