‘He exposed himself': Woman speaks out after Homestead Lyft driver allegedly batters her

A 28-year-old Homestead man accused of assault, indecent exposure and battery on a disabled woman was arrested on Monday, authorities said.

NBC6 on Tuesday spoke with the victim, who is a two-time stroke survivor.

“You trust somebody to serve the community, and they can do this to you,” she said.

She said that on Halloween night, she wanted to leave a friend’s house, called a Lyft and entered Kevin Narvaez Cruz’s car.

Only speaking in Spanish, Homestead Police said Cruz communicated with her through a translation app on her phone, where he offered sex and to pay her.

“When he picked me up, he started making sexual advances towards me,” she said. “I kept turning him down, we get in the parking lot, he exposed himself.”

It was then that the woman said she tried to escape by going up to her apartment.

“He pushed me in, and I pushed him out and locked the door,” she said.

Arrest documents with Homestead Police confirm the altercation, which was captured on a neighbor’s Ring camera.

“I’m very thankful, because without them, I wouldn’t be able to catch this guy,” she said.

On Tuesday, Narvaez Cruz appeared in bond court, where he is facing charges related to burglary with assault or battery, battery on a disabled adult, and indecent exposure.

Homestead Police said that when they interviewed him, he initially denied that anything had occurred, but later gave conflicting accounts as to what had happened.

“I don’t want any other woman or little girl to go through what I had to experience,” the victim said.

Homestead Police Chief Mario Knapp is providing passengers with some advice.

“Act like you’re on the phone when you’re getting in, and as you’re getting in, say, ‘OK, Dad. I’ll be there in a second. Don’t worry. Monitor my GPS,'” he said. “It puts a person on notice.”

Lyft released the following statement:

“The behavior alleged is deeply disturbing and has no place on the Lyft platform. Upon learning of this incident, we permanently removed the driver, responded to law enforcement’s request for information, and will continue to support their ongoing investigation. Our safety team has also reached out to offer support to the ride requester.”

Lyft has also permanently removed the driver and will support the investigation.

They have reached out to the victim to offer support.