SAN FRANCISCO—On June 5, 2026, the San Francisco DA’s Office revealed a conviction of Yucel Eryilmaz, 44, after a trial by jury for raping a sleeping woman in his car. He was convicted of rape of an unconscious person (PC 261(a)(4)(A)), and assault with intent to commit rape (PC 220(a)(1)).
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on October 18, 2025, the victim and her sister were leaving a club in the Mission District and entered Ervilmaz’s car erroneously believing the car was their Uber sometime after 2 a.m. He drove the women to their destination, but on the way tried to kiss the sister who was in the front seat while the victim was in the back seat of the car sleeping.
The sister refused Eryilmaz and did not kiss him and he pulled up to their destination, the sister got out of the car but before she could open the door to wake the victim and get her out of the car, the defendant sped away. The sister called 9-1-1 and reported this to the police immediately, but they were unable to locate the vehicle nor track it since Eryilmaz was not an actual ride-share driver and the victim did not have her phone.
Video footage shows the defendant pulling into the parking lot next to his apartment building, exiting the driver’s side door, going to the back of the car, sitting down and locking the door. Three hours later, the victim woke up in the back seat of the vehicle scared and confused, with Eryilmaz on top of her in the process of a rape. The victim told him “no” and he continued to rape her, holding her arms down while kissing and biting her neck. The victim was able to free herself from Eryilmaz and exit his car.
After they exited the car, the victim spent approximately 10 minutes with where the defendant took her into his apartment building to the roof. The victim asked to use Eryilmaz’s phone to call her sister. He let her use the phone and she called her sister and she learned that the police were looking for her, and that her sister was not nearby. The victim fled on foot and was able to utilize a person on the street’s phone to call her sister and get help.
Prosecutors were able to develop a strong case thanks to the dedication of officers who investigated this case from the San Francisco Police Department’s Special Victims Unit.
“I commend the victim for her bravery, authenticity and vulnerability while she relived these terrifying events during her testimony,” said Assistant District Attorney Abigail Adams. She showed everyone in the courtroom that there is no “correct” response to rape because trauma affects people differently. I hope the victim finds the closure and healing she needs as she attempts to put this horrific incident behind her.”
Eryilmaz is currently in custody pending sentencing. Sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2026.
