SANTA MONICA—Officers from the Santa Monica Police Department arrested an Uber driver who attempted to kidnap a woman and man on Wednesday, October 31. Canyon News received a press release from Lt. Saul Rodriguez of the SMPD, which indicated at 6:43 p.m. officers responded to a radio call for service in the area of 23rd Street and Santa Monica Boulevard about a female victim noting an Uber driver refused to stop and let her out the vehicle.
While responding to the call, three additional 9-1-1 calls were received of similar accounts of an Uber driver, possibly involving the same vehicle and suspect. All of those victims involved were able to exit the vehicle unharmed; and reported that the suspect could have been armed with a handgun and threatened to kidnap the victims.
Officers located the vehicle in the area and attempted an enforcement stop. The car failed to stop and fled from officers, with two passengers, a male and female, inside the car. A vehicle pursuit commenced and assistance was requested from the Los Angeles Police Department Air Support. During the pursuit, both passengers were able to jump out of the moving vehicle and sustained minor injuries. The suspect was taken into custody in the area of Montana Avenue and Bundy Drive.
Paramedics from the Santa Monica Fire Department responded to the scene and treated the victims who suffered scrapes and bruises.
The suspect has been identified as Kaled Elasyedsa Ali, 35, of Anaheim. Ali was booked for 207(a) PC – Kidnapping; and 2800.2(a) CVC– Felony Evading Arrest. He remains in custody at SMPD Jail with a bail of $100,000 pending future court proceedings. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office-Airport Division Courthouse for filing consideration
Anyone with details on the incident is asked to call Detective Goodwin at (310) 458-8942; or the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491.
