Uber drivers arrested by LAPD during new 'entrapment operations'

The drivers believe they were trapped into picking up random passenger.

Three Uber drivers were arrested in an alleged undercover sting operation by the LAPD, after being flagged down by one woman they initially believed was the customer who booked a trip. In their exclusive interview with CBS Local LA, the drivers stated that the entrapment operations that nabbed them may scare off other Uber drivers. The three claimed they feel they are labelled as criminals now, after being pinned down because of an entrapment.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Roy Freeman, Michael Chadwick and Sid Lomeli have spoken out after they were arrested by the LAPD for driving a woman who apparently does not have the Uber app on her phone, causing the ordeal to become criminal act.

The boys unanimously believe having the "U" logo on their windshield became their emblem as targets for the alleged sting undercover operation by the police. Uber drivers who drive for non-pre-arranged passengers are considered bandit cabs, but they explained that the same woman who flagged them all down was undercover.

They explained they were to pick up a customer who booked a cab but was waved down by a woman so they stopped, thinking she was the one who used the app. However, when they found out she didn't have the Uber app on her phone, she insisted on taking the ride anyways, according to their explanation.

"I almost thought she maybe needed help or something. She said, 'Uber?!'" according to Lomeli. "I said, 'Yeah, Uber,'" said Chadwick.

However, she waved down her "friend," which turned out to be the police there to impound their vehicles.

"My door was open and, next thing I know, the cops are behind with the sirens on," he added. All three of them were arrested through the same system, suggesting they were targets for an entrapment.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation confirmed that the agency is participating in these operations, that also include the LAPD. There were no LAPD officials familiar with the operations interviewed over the weekend, while Uber did not respond to CBS.

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