SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 26-year-old convicted thief was behind bars Dec. 23 on charges of sexually assaulting and robbing a Lyft driver in Anaheim.
Samuel Nicholas Rodriguez, who has a lengthy criminal record for car thefts, was being held without bail as he awaits arraignment Jan. 6 on charges of assault with the intent to commit a sex offense, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and dissuading a witness by force, all felonies. He also faces sentencing enhancements for the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a sex offense and the personal use of a deadly weapon.
Rodriguez, who is a transient, called for a Lyft ride about 7:15 a.m. Dec. 18 and was picked up by a woman in west Anaheim, Anaheim police Lt. Shane Carringer said. Rodriguez allegedly attacked the driver with a knife and attempted to rape her during the ride, but she was able to get out of the vehicle and call for help, Carringer said….