COSTA MESA, Calif. (March 11, 2026) – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) is seeking to identify potential additional victims of a man arrested for sexually assaulting a rideshare passenger.
On Feb. 27, 2026, officers responded to a local hospital in reference to a sexual assault that occurred in the 2100 block of Newport Boulevard. The suspect posed as a rideshare driver and told the intoxicated victim he would help her get home. The suspect drove the victim to another location, where he sexually assaulted her. After the assault, the suspect dropped her off at a third location.
During the subsequent investigation, detectives were able to identify the suspect as Felipe Rico-Ceballos, 43, Ontario. Officers safely took Rico-Ceballos into custody on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Rico-Ceballos was arrested on multiple counts of sexual assault and kidnapping.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined Rico-Ceballos does work for a rideshare company. Due to the nature of his employment, detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying potential additional victims of Rico-Ceballos. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with pertinent information or who believes they are a victim of Rico-Ceballos, please contact Detective E. Peralta at 714-754-5039 or Sergeant J. Jacobi at 714-754-5352. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against Rico-Ceballos.
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Media Contact:
Roxi Fyad, Public Affairs Manager
Costa Mesa Police Department
[email protected]
