Investigation Reveals Bogus Rideshare Scheme in Miami Nightclubs
Investigators have revealed a disturbing operation in Miami, where two men allegedly pretended to run a rideshare service to abduct, sexually assault, and rob intoxicated women leaving nightclubs. The investigation began in February with the arrest of 49-year-old Danny Estalin Maurad-Avecilla, following a report by a tourist from California. She recounted ordering an Uber to return to her Airbnb from a nightclub on January 12. However, rather than reaching her accommodation, she woke up in a Little Havana motel room with bruises and pelvic pain, unable to recollect the events leading there. Additionally, she discovered unauthorized charges on her credit card and $200 in cash missing, according to Miami police.
A motel employee noted that Maurad-Avecilla used the victim’s credit card to book the room for six hours. The employee also observed Maurad-Avecilla leading a seemingly intoxicated woman into the room. This incident has prompted several other women to come forward with similar experiences. Maurad-Avecilla is now joined in custody by another suspect, 39-year-old Yadir Alejandro Gongora. Both are detained in Miami-Dade County jail, facing charges of kidnapping and sexual battery without the possibility of bail. Although Maurad-Avecilla had been jailed since February, additional charges have been filed as of this Sunday.
The Modus Operandi: Posing as Rideshare Drivers
Gongora, who was on probation after pleading guilty to robbery in a comparable case in May, was re-arrested in August for accusations of kidnapping and sexual assault. These charges relate to incidents of posing as a rideshare driver. Detectives assert that the duo collaborated, with one driving while the other assaulted the women. Victims reported leaving nightclubs intoxicated, entering rideshare vehicles, and subsequently being raped. DNA evidence linked Gongora to a victim from August, who alleged being sexually assaulted after leaving various bars and clubs last year.
Further investigation following Gongora’s summer arrest revealed numerous cell phone exchanges between him and Maurad-Avecilla dating back to 2022. Witnesses have implicated Maurad-Avecilla in a sexual assault case from last August. He was identified in a photo lineup as the person who picked up a victim from Candela Bar in Brickell.
Accounts from Victims Reveal Atrocities
Both Maurad-Avecilla and Gongora claimed to be rideshare drivers, yet not affiliated with services like Uber or Lyft. They reportedly sought business by soliciting at bars and clubs, receiving payment through cash apps.
- The Candela Incident: In August 2023, a 22-year-old woman recounted her encounter with the duo. She and two colleagues had visited Candela and during their time at the bar, her phone battery died, separating her from her friends. She remembered walking outside and entering a vehicle but couldn’t recall how. Inside the car, a man raped her while another drove. She woke up inside the vehicle nearly five hours later. Eventually, the men ordered her out of the car at a Publix parking lot near the bar.
- Virginia Tourist’s Ordeal: Another victim from Virginia reported visiting the Perro Negro nightclub in Wynwood. Her last memory was of using the restroom before waking up at Motel 77 bearing bruises on her thighs. She noticed her cellphone and Apple watch were missing, and had not ordered a rideshare that night. Surveillance footage from Motel 77 showed a man matching Maurad-Avecilla’s description carrying her inside.
- Arizona Tourists’ Encounter: Two women from Arizona recounted meeting Maurad-Avecilla on February 21. After booking an Uber from Club Space to the Rooney Palace, a gray SUV allegedly driven by Maurad-Avecilla arrived. Inside, he claimed the Uber app had canceled, necessitating direct payment. The women were served alcoholic drinks, and during the lengthy ride, one of them fell in and out of sleep. They eventually asked to be taken to 1 Hotel on Miami Beach, where a valet assisted them inside as Maurad-Avecilla finally stopped the car. Missing items included their cell phones and EpiPens, and unauthorized charges appeared on their credit cards. Maurad-Avecilla’s phone later revealed photos of the women’s credit cards and a driver’s license.
Continued Investigations and New Revelations
Since the February arrest of Maurad-Avecilla, more victims have emerged. Fresh evidence suggests their activities were meticulously carried out under the guise of rideshare services, preying on vulnerable individuals at nightlife establishments. Law enforcement officials have intensified efforts to piece together further connections and bring additional charges against the perpetrators.
This alarming case has heightened awareness among visitors and residents alike regarding safety in Miami’s vibrant nightlife scene. The continued flow of reports and testimonies from victims highlights the need for increased vigilance and better protective measures within the city’s social venues. Public concerns grow as authorities work to ensure justice is served and prevent future incidents.
In light of these events, police advise club-goers to verify ride confirmations and remain cautious when ordering transport services. The investigations proceed as law enforcement appeals to anyone who might have been affected or possesses information regarding these alarming incidents, urging them to come forward.