Seattle Yellow Cab driver groped passengers, police say

KCPQ TV



SEATTLE -- A Yellow Cab driver faces charges of reaching into the backseat of his cab to sexually assault lone, young women he transported home late at night, King County Superior Court documents show.

According to court documents, on June 6, a 22-year-old woman called police to tell them that a Yellow Cab driver made sexual advances toward her while she was getting a ride.

According to police, the woman left a bar around 1:50 a.m. and called a cab for a ride home to her apartment in the 4100 block of 12th Avenue.

During the ride, the driver, identified as Hassan Djama Allaleh allegedly grew bizarre with his small talk, asking the victim if she had a boyfriend, and if she lived alone. When the cab pulled out in front of her apartment, the victim paid and tried to get out, but Allaleh allegedly reached back and stopped her.

According to court documents, Allaleh tried to "pry open her legs" and reach up her skirt. The victim said she repeatedly told Allaleh no, but he persisted, reaching up toward her breasts and telling her he wanted to perform oral sex, documents show.

Luckily, the young woman managed to escape the car and Allaleh allegedly sped off. She contacted police.

Police spoke with Allaleh, who denied all allegations and said he never drove the woman home. He reiterated that he was a "professional" and would never act that way with a fare.

Investigations uncovered that Alleleh had another complaint against him stemming from 2013, where he allegedly tried to kiss and touch a young woman sitting in the front seat of his cab.

Alleleh was booked into King County Jail for investigation of indecent liberties. He faces charges of second-degree assault, court documents show.