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Woman arrested in Las Vegas in connection to viral San Francisco Uber driver attack

Posted at 10:38 PM, Mar 11, 2021
and last updated 2021-03-12 09:22:56-05

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Police in Las Vegas have arrested a woman in connection to an attack on an Uber driver in San Francisco, California, over the weekend.

The attack, which reportedly began after a passenger refused to put on a mask, happened on Sunday and video of it quickly went viral on social media.

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According to the San Francisco Police Department, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrested 24-year-old Malaysia King in connection to the incident.

A second woman, 24-year-old Arna Kimiai, is also a suspect. She remains outstanding, but her lawyer tells authorities that she intends to turn herself in soon.

In the video you see a woman coughing at the driver and grabbing his phone. The driver says he was pepper sprayed as well.

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King was arrested Thursday charged with the following: assault with a caustic chemical (244 PC), assault and battery (243.3 PC), conspiracy (182 PC) and violation of health and safety code (120295 H&S).

Lt. Tracy McCray, who heads the San Francisco Police Department’s Robbery Detail, said in a Facebook post:

“We’re glad to hear that Ms. Kimiai intends to do the right thing and turn herself in to the nearest law enforcement agency, and we hope it happens promptly. The behavior captured on video in this incident showed a callous disregard for the safety and wellbeing of an essential service worker in the midst of a deadly pandemic. We take this conduct very seriously in San Francisco, and we’re committed to ensuring that justice is done in this case.”

The incident remains under investigation.