Bartow, Fla., October 30, 2024 — A Florida Uber Eats driver is facing multiple criminal charges after allegedly spitting in a customer’s face, stealing portions of a food order, and taking seasonal decorations from the customer’s yard during a late-night delivery in Davenport.
Alexsandra Del Valle Acosta Aguilar, 29, was arrested last week and remains in custody at the Central County Jail in Bartow without eligibility for bond.
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According to a probable cause affidavit obtained from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when a female customer placed an Uber Eats food order on September 12, around 11:56 p.m.
Upon arriving outside her Davenport home to retrieve her delivery, the customer reportedly observed Acosta Aguilar, her delivery driver, holding a yard sign reading “Happy Fall Y’all” from her property.
The customer alleged that she initially saw Acosta Aguilar “removing food from the bag” that she had ordered, indicating that some items were missing.
When the customer went outside to confront the driver, she noticed the sign in Acosta Aguilar’s possession along with other Halloween-themed decorations from her yard positioned near the driver’s vehicle.
The alleged victim reported that she confronted the driver, who then became hostile and spat on her face during a heated exchange, police stated in the affidavit.
Police records indicate that after the spitting incident, the customer grabbed the sign to protect herself as she backed away from Acosta Aguilar toward her front door.
Before she could fully retreat, the suspect allegedly took a decorative garden urn valued at approximately $10 from the property and continued loading items into her vehicle, including a decorative column.
Following the driver’s departure, the customer realized that additional decorations, including multiple pumpkins, had been removed from her property, totaling an estimated value of $300.
The police affidavit states that following the incident, the customer immediately contacted authorities and provided a description of the driver and her vehicle.
Responding deputies swiftly connected the vehicle description to Acosta Aguilar, who was identified through her Uber Eats employment records.
Uber confirmed that she was the delivery driver assigned to the customer’s order at the time of the alleged altercation.
When authorities later questioned Acosta Aguilar at her residence, she reportedly admitted to making the delivery at the specified address, but no further statements were made regarding the alleged confrontation.
Acosta Aguilar faces two charges: one count of burglary with assault and one count of grand theft from a dwelling with property exceeding $100 in value.
Under Florida law, a burglary involving assault upgrades the charge, which could carry more severe legal consequences if she is convicted.
“This behavior is shocking and unacceptable,” an Uber spokesperson said in a statement to media, adding that Acosta Aguilar’s account has been removed from the Uber platform as the company continues to assist with law enforcement’s investigation.
The alleged victim described to law enforcement that she felt violated and unnerved by the incident, particularly by the unexpected physical aggression.
“The victim then removed the sign from the suspect’s possession, and the suspect began a verbal altercation with the victim prior to intentionally spitting on the victim against her will,” authorities reported in the arrest affidavit.
It was further noted that the driver’s behavior became increasingly combative when challenged about the missing food and decorations.
Following Acosta Aguilar’s departure, deputies quickly located her home based on the vehicle registration provided in Uber’s records and the victim’s description of the car.
During questioning, officers noted that Acosta Aguilar’s physical appearance matched the description given by the alleged victim, further corroborating her identity as the individual involved in the incident.
Uber Eats has come under scrutiny as cases of driver misconduct continue to surface, though it remains unclear what additional steps the company may take to further vet or monitor their gig workers.
In this particular case, the platform acted immediately by suspending Acosta Aguilar’s account and issuing a statement expressing support for the affected customer and their commitment to a safe delivery experience.
Local residents in Davenport expressed mixed reactions, with some questioning the security measures around delivery services, especially those that operate under limited oversight.
“You trust people to deliver your food safely to your door, but this makes you wonder if they’re following the same standards,” said one concerned neighbor.
“It’s not just the safety of the delivery but also how they behave when things go wrong.”
Police sources confirmed that Acosta Aguilar’s court records detail a series of unusual interactions and claims of previous misdemeanors; however, no additional details were provided in the affidavit concerning other criminal history.
Law enforcement officials have reminded local residents of the importance of home surveillance systems and clear communication when interacting with delivery personnel, especially in cases where property may be at risk.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has not yet released additional updates on the case, but they encourage anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Acosta Aguilar remains held at the Polk County Jail without bond as of Tuesday morning.
She is expected to face her first court hearing next week, where further details regarding the charges and possible bail eligibility may be discussed.
