Villanova Student Raped by Uber Driver in Dorm Room, Police Say

Video surveillance shows the Uber driver escorting the Villanova student into her dorm room where she says he raped her.
Published: October 8, 2024

VILLANOVA, Penn. — An Uber driver has been charged with raping a Villanova University student in her dorm room last month.

According to Villanova police, the 21-year-old student took an Uber home from a party in Philadelphia on Sept. 13 after she felt ill. Surveillance footage allegedly shows the driver, 26-year-old Mirvan Dinlar, escorting the victim into her dorm building shortly after 11 p.m., ABC 7 reports. The student alleges Dinlar raped her and forced her to perform oral sex in her dorm room.

Dinlar then left the building but came back shortly after and banged on her door. A witness told police Dinlar said he wanted money for a mess he claimed was left in his car. The victim then allegedly handed Dinlar her phone, which he used to send $150 to himself via Venmo, court documents state.

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The following morning, the victim said she noticed someone started following her on Instagram with the same name as the Venmo account holder, according to Fox News. The student reported the assault to campus police and Uber. In a statement, Uber said it revoked Dinlar’s account immediately and are assisting authorities in the investigation.

Dinlar is charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, and indecent assault. He is out on bail.

A Villanova spokesperson told CBS News that the school’s Department of Public Safety has increased patrols following the incident. The school urges students to report concerning behavior to its emergency line at 610-519-4444.

If you are a victim of sexual assault and want to speak with someone or access resources, please visit the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) website at rainn.org. You can also call 800-656-4673 or chat online at online.rainn.org.

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