2 Chicago-area college students charged with assault in Copenhagen, Denmark after alleged altercation with Uber driver
Share and Follow

CHICAGO (WLS) — Two college students, both United States citizens from the Chicago area, have been charged with assault while visiting Denmark on their spring break, according to a statement by Copenhagen police.

Owen Ray, a 19-year-old studying at the University of Miami in Ohio, and his unnamed friend were detained at Copenhagen Airport on April 1 over an alleged dispute with an Uber driver the night prior, Jordan Finfer, a U.S.-based attorney for Ray’s family, told ABC News.

A Copenhagen police spokesperson tells ABC News in a statement, “The Copenhagen Police can confirm, that on March 31, two American citizens were arrested in Copenhagen, and on March 31 they were brought before the court charged with common assault. They were sentenced to 10 days pre-trial detention. This verdict has since extended until April 24.”

In an account relayed to Finfer, who then shared the details with ABC News, Ray said that he and a friend were in an Uber on March 31 when they realized they had entered the wrong address for their destination — and the driver allegedly refused to take them anywhere else.

All parties — Ray, the friend and the Uber driver — eventually got out of the car, and an altercation then allegedly occurred, Finfer said, based on Ray’s account.

Finfer says Ray told him that the driver kicked Ray in the groin, and in response, Ray pushed him away and the driver fell, the attorney recounted, adding that Ray and his friend then ran away.

The two students were detained at Copenhagen Airport the next day while trying to return home, Finfer told ABC News. Local police detained them after deeming them “flight risks,” claiming they were planning to run from the incident, he said.

“The safety of everyone who uses the Uber app is a top priority, and we take reports of violence very seriously,” an Uber spokesperson said in a statement to ABC News on Sunday.

“Any additional questions about the investigation should be directed to the Danish police,” the statement added.

Ray’s Denmark-based attorney, Eigil Strand, confirmed to ABC News that as of 10:50 p.m. Danish time, both of the young men are still being detained.

The U.S. State Department provided a statement to ABC7 on Sunday saying, “We are aware of media reports of two U.S. citizens detained in Denmark. Staff at our embassy in Copenhagen are providing consular assistance.”

“The Department has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad,” it continued. “Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment.”

The mother of Owen Ray, Sara Buchen-Ray, is now speaking out.

“Our son was supposed to come home from Copenhagen… I woke up to a text message that said, ‘Mom, I’m in prison in Copenhagen, call the U.S. Embassy,'” Buchen-Ray said.

Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s officer released a statement, saying they have “been in regular contact with the family and our embassy in Denmark since being made aware of situation.”

No further information was immediately available.

ABC News’ Benjamin Siu and ABC7 Chicago contributed to this report.

More of ABC News’ interview Ray’s mother can be seen Monday on Good Morning America at 7 a.m. on ABC7.


Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Taylor Swift fans theorize 'Actually Romantic' diss track is about Kim Kardashian

Taylor Swift fans speculate that the song ‘Actually Romantic’ is a diss track aimed at Kim Kardashian.

Fans of Taylor Swift have speculated that her track “Actually Romantic” is…
Ex-LA deputy mayor of public safety sentenced for calling in fake bomb threat to get out of virtual meeting

Former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Sentenced for Faking Bomb Threat to Avoid Virtual Meeting

A former deputy mayor of public safety in Los Angeles has discovered…
Arby’s launches new Steak Nuggets for a limited time

Arby’s Introduces Limited-Time Steak Nuggets

The chain’s new limited-time offering features bite-sized, hand-cut steak pieces seasoned with…
Democrats could have a slight shot at flipping a US House seat in Utah under a new congressional map

Democrats Might Have a Chance to Win a US House Seat in Utah with New Congressional Boundaries

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah’s Republican-led Legislature approved a revised congressional…
White House hints it will send stranger who killed boy back to jail

The White House suggests plans to re-incarcerate the individual who killed a child.

The White House has indicated it plans to intervene and examine the…
Driver recounts terrifying near miss as helicopter crashes on highway

Motorist Shares Frightening Experience of Helicopter Crash on Highway

A motorist who barely escaped a helicopter accident on a Sacramento highway…
Negotiators meet in Egypt seeking Gaza ceasefire, hostage release

Diplomats Convene in Egypt to Secure Gaza Truce and Free Hostages

TEL AVIV, Israel () — Officials from Israel, Hamas and the U.S. are…
Shooting at Wawa on Cassat Avenue in Jacksonville leaves man injured

Man Injured After Shooting at Cassat Avenue Wawa in Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the victim and suspect were arguing about…