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Police: Lyft driver sexually assaulted Cobb woman on ride home

Jerome Antonio Booze of Decatur is accused of raping a Lyft passenger. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)
Jerome Antonio Booze of Decatur is accused of raping a Lyft passenger. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)
By Raisa Habersham
Jan 27, 2017

More than a month after a Lyft driver allegedly sexually assaulted a woman, Cobb County police arrested the man Monday.

Jerome Antonio Booze, 39, of Decatur, remained in the Cobb jail on a felony rape charge Thursday, according to records. Police have not said why it took more than a month to arrest Booze.

Booze picked up a Smyrna woman from the Anchor Bar in northeast Atlanta on Dec. 10 after she requested a Lyft to take her home, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Police say he instead drove her to a parking lot and sexually assaulted her. The victim was in no condition to consent, Channel 2 reported.

A Lyft spokesman sent the news station a statement saying the company was devastated and banned Booze from using the Lyft app. The company has also been assisting with Cobb police in their investigation.

About the Author

Raisa Habersham is the Intown Atlanta hyperlocal reporter for The Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

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