Metro

Uber driver accused of kidnapping, groping sleeping rider takes plea deal

An Uber driver copped to a plea deal for kidnapping and groping a sleeping passenger before dropping her on the side of the road in Connecticut and charging her more than $1,000 for a ride to Massachusetts she never took.

Harbir Parmar, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping and one count of wire fraud in White Plains federal  court, prosecutors said Monday, for the Feb. 21, 2018, incident in which a female passenger in his car riding from Manhattan to her home in White Plains fell asleep — only to awake with Parmar’s hand under her shirt touching her breast.

The victim realized she didn’t know where she was and asked Parmar to take her home and eventually asked to be taken to a police station.

Instead, prosecutors say, Parmar left her on the side of the I-95 in Branford, Conn., 60 miles from home. The woman walked to the nearest convenience store, called a taxi and finally arrived home at 3:30 a.m., nearly four hours after getting into the cab.

She also later discovered Parmar allegedly charged her $1,047 for a trip to Boston.

Prosecutors say in addition to the kidnapping incident, the Howard Beach man on 11 occasions charged customers for false cleaning fees totaling over $3,600.

“Last year, Harbir Parmar took advantage of a vulnerable woman who utilized a ridesharing service by kidnapping and terrorizing her,” Manhattan US Attorney Geoffrey Berman said in a statement.

“In addition, he charged many of his ridesharing customers with fraudulent fees. Today, he admitted his guilt in open court, and will now be held accountable for his brazen crimes.”

Though Parmar faces up to life in prison for his admitted crimes, federal sentencing guidelines prescribe a maximum nine-year prison term, which a judge is not bound by.

Parmar’s sentencing is set for June 24.

Parmar’s lawyer said he made a mistake and deserves leniency.

“From the beginning he accepted responsibility,” attorney Arthur Aidala said.

“Although he knows there will be some punishment he hopes that the judge will show some mercy to this very young man who made this tremendous mistake.”