A downtown Austin pickup near the University of Texas campus ended in a criminal charge after a seven-month pregnant Lyft rider told police her driver attacked her at a busy café, leaving her shaken and in pain.
Court paperwork identifies the driver as 56-year-old Ernest Pineda and says he is charged with second-degree robbery by assault in connection with the April 15 incident. An affidavit reviewed by authorities states officers were called shortly after 12:30 p.m. and details the alleged confrontation inside the café, according to FOX 7 Austin.
Where It Happened
The complaint lists the Capitol Cafe on San Jacinto Boulevard, a downtown spot at 1836 San Jacinto Blvd, Unit #110, within a few blocks of the UT Austin campus. The café’s own site shows the San Jacinto location and its hours, matching the address cited in the criminal paperwork, according to Capitol Cafe.
Police Response And City Context
Austin police and city officials have been reworking how assault and sexual assault calls are handled, including revised patrol response protocols and a public sex crimes dashboard that is meant to improve data transparency and victim support. The changes, laid out in a recent Public Safety Committee packet, are intended to standardize how cases are reported and to bolster services for victims, according to the City of Austin.
What The Affidavit Says Happened
According to the affidavit, the woman, who was seven months pregnant, rushed into Pineda’s car after finishing a work shift, then went back into the café after spilling a drink. The document says Pineda followed her inside, shoved open the bathroom door into her stomach, and grabbed her wrist. The paperwork states he took her backpack and later hurled it across the café when employees said they would call 911. Indoor camera footage and an employee’s account backed up the woman’s version of events, the affidavit notes, and court records indicate Pineda posted a $15,000 bond and was ordered to stay at least 200 yards away from the victim and the Capitol Cafe, according to FOX 7 Austin.
Rideshare Safety Tools
Lyft’s Safety Center states that drivers are subject to background checks and that the app includes several tools designed to help protect riders. Those include PIN verification to confirm the right car, location sharing, and an in-app audio recording feature riders can use during a trip. Lyft also promotes real-time ride monitoring and a 24/7 safety team that watches for unusual activity and can offer support, according to Lyft.
Legal Outlook
Pineda is facing a second-degree felony charge. Under Texas law, a conviction for a second-degree felony can bring a sentence of two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, as outlined in Texas Penal Code §12.33.
Victim Resources And What Comes Next
The affidavit and related court filings are public records. The same City of Austin packet highlighting police reforms also directs residents to victim services and the ATX Believes public education campaign as part of a broader effort to support survivors, according to the City of Austin. Prosecutors are expected to set court dates as the case moves forward, and future filings and hearings will appear in public records.
Anyone with video or information about the April 15 incident is asked to contact investigators through official channels. This story will be updated as new court documents, hearing dates and official statements become available.
