A 21-year-old food delivery driver, Roiber Andres Rodriguez Melendez, has been charged with raping a customer in her apartment. The attack, which is claimed to have happened on February 9, 2025, occurred in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Melendez is a Colombian who was said to be in the country illegally. He was using a false account with a woman’s name and his own mother’s photo. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail.
Alleged Attack at Victim’s Residence
The victim ordered an Uber Eats hoping for a woman to deliver it. When she opened the door, she was dismayed to see a man. As Melendez did not speak English, she attempted to assist him. Outside was cold, so she invited him in and called a friend who spoke Spanish to help facilitate communication.
Melendez requested a four-digit code to finalize the order. The victim, not knowing the code, called Uber support while the friend was still on the phone. Melendez suddenly took her phone, cut the call, and pushed her into a bathroom. Prosecutors allege he trapped and attacked her before her friend’s persistent calls broke the assault. Noticing that the friend was calling the victim, Melendez ran away from the house.
Investigation and Arrest
The victim’s pet cam caught Melendez within her residence. Surveillance video from the restaurant where he had gone to pick up the food also helped the police identify him. The friend on the three-way call with Uber customer support later confirmed that no code was required for the delivery.
Melendez was tracked down and arrested after he ran away. He initially denied going into the house, claiming that he waited outside for 10 minutes. But after the police showed him a video from the inside camera, he changed his story. He confessed to going in but explained that he was just trying to get the code.
Inconsistent Statements and DNA Sample
Melendez kept changing his account of things. He had no physical contact with the victim, he insisted, but he gave a DNA sample.
He claimed that the woman was “drunk” or “smoking something” and unable to give them the four-digit code.
Officers did not establish evidence to refute his assertion she was drunk.
Having a Pseudonym when Ordering Food by Delivery
They found that UberEats registered Melendez with a different name—Rosa Maria Saltman. He was stopped before on January 31 while he was delivering food for DoorDash. He and another 31-year-old man were then discovered driving without proper licenses.
Uber’s Response
Uber has suspended the account of Melendez. A spokesperson for the company said:
“What has been reported is appalling, and we take the reports seriously. We have spoken with the police and suspended the delivery account from the Uber platform.”
Court Proceedings and Legal Status
Melendez pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail. His initial hearing was held at Palmer District Court, where prosecutors outlined the brutal nature of the attack. His immigration status has also caused concern. Officials have confirmed that he arrived in the U.S. illegally and worked as a food delivery driver with fake credentials.
Public Outrage and Safety Concerns
The incident has created public outrage, with many wondering how a driver with a fake identity was able to work for several food delivery companies. Critics say stricter background checks and identity verification should be mandatory to avoid such incidents in the future.
Conclusion
The reported rape of a customer by an illegal Uber Eats driver has raised serious questions about food delivery safety. Melendez’s use of a false account, his criminal charges, and his prior run-in with police have fueled debates about security measures in the gig economy. As the legal process goes on, there are numerous calls for enhanced identity confirmation and background checks for app-based delivery drivers.
