Release posted on 11-02-23 at 8:52 a.m.

St. Petersburg Police arrested Jose Antonio Canales Sanchez, DOB 3-8-72, and charged him with sexual battery and false imprisonment. The booking photo is attached.

On November 1st, 2023, at 6:24 a.m., Uber driver Canales Sanchez picked up a 32-year-old woman in his vehicle. Before reaching her designated destination, Canales Sanchez pulled over into a parking lot. He entered the backseat of the vehicle where the woman was sitting and began undressing her against her will and touching her private parts.

She was able to fight him off and escape.

Police arrested Canales Sanchez later the same afternoon.