Two American students went to Copenhagen, Denmark, for a fun spring break. But their trip turned into something they never expected. Owen Ray, a 19-year-old student at Miami University in Ohio, and his friend ended up in jail. It all started with a simple Uber ride that went very wrong. Now these American students are stuck in a foreign country, trying to prove they did nothing wrong.
A Mistake With the Address Led to an Argument
On March 31, Owen and his friend got into an Uber in Copenhagen. They had entered the wrong address into the app. When they realized their mistake, they asked the driver to take them to a new place. But the driver refused. So the boys canceled the ride and got out of the car. They thought that was the end of it. But it wasn’t.
Uber Driver Came Back and Confronted the Students
The boys walked away from the car. After a few blocks, the Uber driver showed up again. He stopped his car and got out yelling at them. He believed he hadn’t been paid. But Owen said the driver had already received his payment through the app. Things got heated quickly. The driver accused the American students of not paying, and the shouting continued.
The Situation Got Physical on the Street
Owen and the driver both said things got physical. According to Owen’s lawyer, the Uber driver kicked Owen in the groin. In response, Owen pushed the driver, and the man fell down. After that, Owen and his friend ran away. Owen later said the driver had also threatened them by saying he was going to call others to come. The boys were scared and left the area quickly.
Police Arrested the Boys at the Airport the Next Day
The next day, on April 1, Owen and his friend went to the airport. These American students were ready to fly home. But Danish police stopped them before they could leave. The police arrested them, saying the boys were trying to escape the situation. They were called “flight risks.” That’s when everything got even worse.
Danish Authorities Charged the Students With Assault
The police charged both students with common assault. Owen said he and his friend thought they would be able to explain what happened. They thought they would be released after telling their side of the story. But the judge had other plans. He kept them in jail for 10 days while reviewing the case.
Owen Wasn’t Able to Contact His Family at First
Owen said he was very scared. For the first 36 hours in jail, he couldn’t contact anyone. He didn’t know if his parents even knew where he was. He finally got a chance to send a text message to his mother using a phone at the courthouse. His mom, Sara Buchen-Ray, flew to Denmark right away to help her son. Owen said he was very thankful for her and for the support he received from his family.
Parents Believe Their Son Did Nothing Wrong
Owen’s parents released a public statement. They said their son did nothing to cause the problem. They believe the Uber driver attacked the boys first. The parents are now asking the Danish government to return Owen’s passport and let him come home. They want him back in the United States to celebrate Easter with his family.
Still Stuck in Denmark With No Passport
The boys were finally released from jail on Monday. But these American students are still stuck in Denmark. The police are keeping their passports for now. Owen said he has to check in with the police every day. He and his family are hoping that the case will be dropped. If not, they may have to wait for a court date.
Family Hopes the Case Will Be Dropped Soon
Owen and his parents believe he is completely innocent. He said the best thing would be for the police to drop the case and give back their passports. That way, these American students could return home. Owen said he hopes the U.S. government will also step in to help bring them back.
Uber and U.S. Officials Respond to the Case
An Uber spokesperson said the company takes safety very seriously. They are reviewing the case and are working with Danish authorities. They also said any questions about the incident should go to the police. The U.S. State Department said they know about the case and are helping the American students through the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen.
