Lyft beefing up background checks after latest driver arrest

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Ridesharing company Lyft says it is beefing up its background checks after a driver arrested for rape was found to be an undocumented worker.

Lyft spokeswoman Kate Margolis said Tuesday that the company’s “enhanced detection processes” will apply to new applicants and existing drivers.

San Francisco police arrested Lyft driver 36-year-old Orlando Vilchez Lazo last week and charged him with raping four women who he lured to his car pretending to be their rideshare driver. Margolis said the company fired Vilchez Lazo on Friday.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said Vilchez Lazo was living in the country illegally. Margolis said the driver “fraudulently represented himself” and passed its background check.

Vilchez Lazo is being held without bail and scheduled for arraignment Thursday and assignment of a lawyer.