Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney.
An Uber driver is accused of groping a female passenger and making advances at her, including following her up to her Whitpain Township residence, after he dropped her off.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Whitpain Township Police Chief Kenneth Lawson announced the arrest of Robert Corcoran, 61, of West Chester, on charges of Indecent Assault and Harassment.
On Feb. 10, 2025, a woman reported a sexual assault to Whitpain Township Police. According to police, the victim reported that her and a male friend arranged for an Uber to pick them up at about 1:38 a.m. after a night out in Lower Providence Township.
While in the vehicle, the victim was on a FaceTime call with her sister, according to police. Corcoran arrived at the male’s residence first, at about 2:02 a.m. and dropped him off. Corcoran then got out of the vehicle and approached the rear driver side door where the victim was sitting, according to police. Corcoran asked the victim to move to the front seat, and the victim complied due to believing he was a nice guy and had nothing to fear, according to police.
While the victim was in the front passenger seat and still on the phone talking with her sister, Corcoran stated “but you’re going to need to get off the phone with your sister.” This comment made the victim feel “weird,” according to police.
A short time after the victim hung up the phone, Corcoran groped the woman’s breast while driving the vehicle. The woman resisted, verbally told Corcoran to stop and texted her sister about what happened. The defendant continued making lewd comments to the woman as he drove the vehicle.
Once the Uber stopped at her residence, the victim exited the vehicle, and Corcoran followed and attempted to kiss her. He then grabbed the victim and hugged her as she ran into the residence. The police investigation found the vehicle’s Pennsylvania license plate provided by the victim was registered to Corcoran and matched his Uber profile.
“All passengers, especially female passengers, using a car service like Uber or Lyft have to take safety precautions,” said DA Steele. “This woman was Facetiming with someone while in the Uber, texting her contact, verbally resisting the driver and noting the vehicle’s license plate, all of which were heads-up actions. A few other safety recommendations are for female passengers to sit in the back seat and to use the alert button on the app or to call 911 if they feel unsafe.”
The defendant turned himself in to Whitpain Township Police on March 6, 2025. He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Michael P. Quinn, who set bail at $25,000 unsecured, with bail restrictions of no contact with the victim or her residence.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m., March 20, 2025, before Magisterial District Judge Suzan Leonard.
