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A Phoenix man accused of assaulting two women in separate incidents more than a year apart in the Valley has been taken into custody, KOLD NewsChannel 13 reported yesterday. Police say 33-year-old Mohammad Al Bishawi was arrested on Monday in connection with two cases, one involving a Lyft passenger in Gilbert and another involving a massage therapist in Phoenix.
According to Gilbert police, the first incident occurred on December 30, 2024. A woman reported that her Lyft driver repeatedly asked her to kiss him during the ride home from a friend’s house. When she refused and looked at her phone, the driver allegedly took her phone away, grabbed her arm, and exposed himself. The driver then pulled into what appeared to be a school parking lot and continued making unwanted physical contact. The woman told police she tried to get away but couldn’t because of his grip. She said the driver forced her to kiss him before eventually driving her home, crying and apologizing along the way.
Police identified the driver as Bishawi using information provided by Lyft. DNA evidence was collected from the woman’s shirt and submitted for testing.
Months later, investigators learned that the DNA matched evidence from an earlier sexual assault case reported in Phoenix on May 26, 2023. In that case, a massage therapist told police that a client attacked her after arriving for an appointment. She said Bishawi entered her business, requested a massage, and then ambushed her in the treatment room. The victim reported that he was unclothed when he attacked her, causing multiple injuries documented by a forensic nurse.
Investigators said surveillance footage captured Bishawi and his car at the scene that day, and DNA collected from a tissue linked him to the crime through a national database. Both victims later identified him in a photo lineup.
Bishawi has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and kidnapping. He is being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond.
If you are a survivor of sexual assault involving a Lyft driver, know that you are not alone, and that you still have legal rights. Survivors across the country are taking action to hold Lyft accountable for failing to protect passengers from harm.
Visit our Lyft Sexual Assault Lawsuit Guide to learn how to explore your legal options. We may help connect you confidentially with an attorney who understands rideshare assault cases. Many survivors say the most meaningful outcome isn’t just financial compensation; it’s being heard, validated, and empowered to reclaim your life.
