Police seek public help after reported assault during downtown San Jose rideshare
San Jose police are investigating an alleged sexual assault of a juvenile that occurred during a rideshare trip in downtown San Jose, and detectives say they believe there may be additional victims.
Authorities say the incident occurred on Sept. 12 on Paseo de San Antonio, near the Hammer Theatre. The suspect, identified by police as 32-year-old Anuj Kumar, picked up the teenager through a rideshare app and allegedly sexually assaulted the child inside the vehicle.
San Jose police used automated license plate readers to identify the suspect and arrested Kumar the following day at his Foster City home, according to a police statement. Officials have asked members of the public to contact investigators if the case sounds familiar or they have information about similar incidents.
"He is the one that was scheduled to conduct the rideshare service. We feel that there may be additional victims, so we are asking the public to provide any information if this case sounds similar or familiar," San Jose police spokesperson Stacie Shih said.
In a statement, rideshare company Uber said the reported conduct "is deeply disturbing and has no place on our platform." The company confirmed the driver has been permanently banned and said its team is cooperating with law enforcement.
Uber defended its screening process in the statement, noting that drivers must pass a background check and regularly verify their identity. The company did not provide additional comment on investigative details.
Medical and safety experts stress limits of background checks
Local medical experts stressed that background checks, while important, cannot predict all future behavior. Dr. Shivani Chmura, a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist at Palo Alto Wellness, called the report alarming and emphasized the limits of pre-employment screening.
"It's very scary. It does not tell you what their intent is going to be tonight," Chmura said, while also praising the teenager for reporting the incident to authorities.
According to police, the teenager contacted authorities immediately following the alleged assault. Chmura said alerting law enforcement was the correct course of action and described the teen’s call as an act of bravery.
Local context: rideshare rules for minors
The case highlights local rules and gaps regarding rideshare use by minors. San Jose does not offer an "Uber for Teens" option, meaning rideshare companies' policies generally require users to be at least 18 years old to ride alone. Some other California cities offer supervised teen ride features; San Jose is not among them.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of alleged incident | Sept. 12 |
| Location | Paseo de San Antonio (near Hammer Theatre, downtown San Jose) |
| Suspect | Anuj Kumar, 32 |
| Arrest location | Foster City |
What police and the public are being asked to do
San Jose police are asking anyone with information about the incident or other similar reports to contact investigators. The department has not released additional details about charges or the status of the active investigation.
- Contact San Jose Police Department if you have information that could help investigators.
- Parents and guardians should review local rideshare rules and consider alternatives for minors where possible.
- Report suspicious or inappropriate behavior during rides immediately to local law enforcement and the rideshare platform.
Officials provided no timeline for further announcements. The investigation into the alleged assault remains active as police continue to seek potential additional victims and witnesses.
For the safety of the juvenile involved, San Jose police have not released additional identifying information. The community’s cooperation may be critical as detectives piece together whether other incidents are connected.
