Photo: Mercer County Prosecutor's Office
A rideshare driver from Spotswood, New Jersey, has been arrested and charged after prosecutors allege he tried to lure Princeton University students for sex in two separate incidents last month. According to a press release from the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office, Dimario Wynter, 28, faces two counts of harassment and luring, and one count of disorderly conduct following alleged encounters with two female students near the university campus.
The first incident happened around noon on April 16, when a student told police she was walking along Prospect Avenue. A man driving a black Jeep Patriot stopped, asked for directions, then handed her a $100 bill before exiting his vehicle, approaching quickly, and demanding a sexual act. The student dropped the money and ran away, according to officials. The next morning, on April 17, a second student was approached on Ivy Lane by a man in a dark van or SUV who again asked for directions and handed her a $100 bill. He then asked her to leave with him, but she returned the money and the suspect drove away, as reported by the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.
An investigation by the Princeton University Department of Public Safety identified Wynter as the suspect and revealed he was working as a driver for Lyft at the time of the incidents. Following the investigation, Wynter was arrested on April 30 at the Princeton Police Department and later released pending future court appearances, according to Planet Princeton.
Lyft responded to the allegations by stating, "We take reports like this extremely seriously, and the driver has been permanently removed from the platform. We stand ready to assist law enforcement with their investigation."
The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office continues to investigate and is encouraging anyone with information to contact Sgt. Ed Hughes at 609-989-6441 or submit an anonymous tip through the prosecutor’s website. Wynter awaits upcoming court dates in connection with these charges.