Crime

Driver arrested for allegedly robbing customer

The man said he was an Uber driver, but Uber could not confirm that he was an employee.

August 30, 2016

1 minute to read

A Revere man who said he is an Uber driver was charged Tuesday with allegedly robbing and pushing a woman while picking her up at her Malden home, Middlesex County prosecutors said.

Wilson Brea, 21, faced charges of assault and battery on a person over the age of 60 or a disabled person causing injury and larceny over $250 at his Malden District Court arraignment, according to a statement from Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan’s office.

Prosecutors said Brea was picking the victim up at her Prentiss Street home Monday evening. The woman called Brea personally to organize Monday night’s ride; she did not use a ride-hailing app. The woman had used Brea as a “driver for hire” several times before then, Ryan’s office said.

Brea allegedly asked to use the woman’s bathroom after he arrived to pick her up. After he left the bathroom, he grabbed her handbag and pushed her out of the way, prosecutors said. He then got in his car and drove away.

As he was being arrested later, he said he was an Uber driver, Ryan’s office said. Uber spokeswoman Susan Hendrick, however, could not confirm Tuesday that he was an employee. She said no one by Brea’s name used the app last night.

Hendrick said he might have misstated the exact ride-hailing service he works for.

Brea was ordered held on $500 cash bail. He was ordered to stay away from the victim and not drive in Massachusetts. He is scheduled to return to court September 20.