By Kathy Whitaker, The Chicago Times
March 29, 2023
NAPERVILLE, IL – A taxicab driver has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a female customer in 2017.
According to prosecutors, on July 9, 2017, Sandeep Arora, 48, of Naperville, picked up the victim and her friend at a Naperville establishment with the victim seated in the front passenger seat and the other individual seated in the back.
After Arora dropped off the victim’s friend, he allegedly drove away and then sexually assaulted the victim by ripping off some of her clothing and leaving bruises and marks on her body. Arora allegedly pulled his taxicab over again and assaulted the victim for a second time.
After the victim freed herself from the taxicab, she called a friend and hid in some bushes while she waited for her friend to arrive. The next morning the victim reported the assault to the Naperville Police Department. Naperville police arrested Arora after further investigation of the events.
Arora was found guilty on two felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, two felony counts of criminal sexual assault, one felony count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and one felony count of criminal sexual abuse.
“Once alone with his victim, Sandeep Arora violently and repeatedly sexually assaulted her and only stopped when she was able to free herself and call for help. While the memories of that horrible assault may fade with time, time cannot erase what happened as the victim in this case is now left suffering with the psychological fallout caused by Mr. Arora. I commend her for her strength and courage in bringing this matter to the police and for her assistance throughout this entire ordeal.” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a press release.
Arora faces twelve to sixty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
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