Two U.S. college students reportedly jailed in Denmark after disagreement with an Uber driver over wrong address, their family says.
Two American college students are facing serious trouble during their spring break trip in Denmark.
Owen Ray, a 20-year-old student from the University of Miami in Ohio, and his friend have been held in a Danish prison for two weeks.
Their detention began after a disagreement with an Uber driver over a wrong address, according to family members.
Two U.S. students imprisoned in Denmark after an intense dispute with Uber driver
The incident took place shortly after the students arrived in Copenhagen. Ray and his friend mistakenly entered the wrong destination in the Uber app.
Realizing their mistake, they asked the driver to let them out so they could order a new ride. However, things escalated quickly.
According to Ray’s mother, Sara Buchen-Ray, the Uber driver returned to find them walking and began yelling at them.
The driver accused the students of not paying for the ride, even though they had receipts showing they had completed the payment.
“Approximately five minutes later, the Uber driver circled back around and found them walking and started yelling at them,” she told the outlet.
During the heated argument, the situation turned physical. The family’s attorney, Jordan Finfer, reported that the Uber driver kicked Owen in the groin.
In self-defense, Owen pushed the driver away, causing him to fall. After this altercation, Owen and his friend decided to run away from the scene.
Soon after the incident, Buchen-Ray received a shocking text message.
She was only four hours away from picking up her son at O’Hare International Airport when she learned he had been detained.
She recalled the moment, saying, “I got a text from a foreign number saying, ‘Mom, I’m in prison in Copenhagen.’”
The students arrested at Copenhagen airport
The arrest occurred while the students were waiting at the airport to board their flight home.
Finfer explained that Danish police apprehended Owen and his friend as they were preparing to leave.
Although Owen has not been formally charged, authorities labeled him a “flight risk,” leading to his continued detention.
The status of Owen’s unnamed friend remains unclear. While Owen is still in custody, his family is anxiously waiting for any updates.
“While they were waiting at the gates to board their planes to go home, they were arrested by the Danish police,” The family’s attorney, Jordan Finfer.
“Owen is still detained, is likely to be detained through the end of the month – he’s never been charged,” Finfer said.
Owen’s lengthy detention raises significant family concerns.
Owen remains locked up for 23 hours each day. His mother is deeply worried about the effects of this experience on her son.
She commented on the mental toll of being confined, saying, “There are going to be ramifications from this. You know, when you’re locked in a jail cell for 23 hours a day, you can’t come out without nothing,” Buchen-Ray said.
Buchen-Ray fears that the prolonged detention will have lasting ramifications on Owen’s life.
In addition to the stress of being in jail, both students have missed two weeks of classes. This academic disruption adds another layer of concern for their families.
Buchen-Ray plans to travel to Denmark to support her son during this difficult time.
Awaiting trial, the family fears possible delays.
Owen and his family are now waiting for the case to go to trial, which is expected to happen soon.
However, a five-day court holiday for Easter may cause delays in the proceedings. The uncertainty of the timeline adds to the family’s anxiety.
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin’s office has also been involved in the situation.
They stated they have been in regular contact with both the family and the U.S. embassy in Denmark since learning about the incident.
This support provides some comfort to Buchen-Ray during this challenging time.