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Man posing as Uber driver accused of raping UGA student, police say

CLARKE COUNTY, Ga. — A man is facing charges for the rape of a University of Georgia student in Athens.

Investigators tell Channel 2 Action News the incident happened after the suspect passed as an Uber driver.

The victim told police she ordered an Uber early Friday morning in downtown Athens.

Investigators say she got into a car that she thought was her ride, but it wasn’t.


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When she realized what happened, the victim says she asked to get out of the car but the driver refused, then pulled over and raped her.

While investigating that assault, Athens-Clarke County police received a call from another woman who says an hour earlier, she was waiting for an Uber on Washington Street.

Police say she also got in the wrong car and the driver inappropriately touched her.

The victim took pictures of her alleged attacker and escaped.

After sharing the photos with police, an officer recognized the suspect from a traffic stop the night before.

The officer then spotted the suspect’s car downtown early Saturday morning.

Police arrested Emerson Redd and after interviewing him, charged him with rape.

UGA students who spoke with Channel 2 Action News stressed they are not blaming the victims, but say they will be sure to take extra precautions when using a ride-sharing service.

“Most of the time they’ll say their name, say what type of car they drive,” said student Victoria Austin.

“One thing that I was told was to just tell them to say what your name is before you get in the car,” said student Jenna Hanes.