NEWS RELEASE

Grand Rapids Police Department

APPROVED: Captain Jeffrey Hertel FOR RELEASE: January 4, 2013 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Captain Jeffrey Hertel Phone: 456-3499 Fax: 456-4490 13-000637 SEXUAL ASSAULT SUSPECT ARRESTED On Thursday, January 3, 2013, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Grand Rapids Police were dispatched to the area of I-196 and East Beltline Ave. on the report of a sexual assault. Upon arrival, officers located the victim, a 22-year old female, whom had flagged down a Kent County Sheriff Deputy. The victim told police that she came to downtown Grand Rapids with her friends. The victim had become separated from her friends at one point and she was trying to locate them. At Ionia Ave. and Fountain St. NW, the male driver of a silver Corolla-type vehicle approached the victim and asked her if she needed a ride home. The victim accepted the ride. The driver proceeded on I-196 eastbound at the direction of the victim. As the driver approached the area of I-196 and Maryland Ave., he pulled the vehicle over on the shoulder of the highway and sexually assaulted the victim. The suspect was described as approximately 20 years of age, average build, dark hair, and clean shaven. The vehicle the suspect was driving was described as a newer silver Corolla-type style four door. The suspect forced the victim from the vehicle and fled in his vehicle eastbound on I-196. The victim walked to the East Beltline and found the deputy. The Family Service Team investigated the assault. On Thursday, January 3, 2013, detectives developed a suspect that was staying at a house on Eureka Ave. SE. At approximately 12:15 p.m., detectives and community officers conducted a search warrant at the house. The suspect was taken into custody at that time. On Friday, January 4, 2013, the Kent County Prosecutors Office authorized a two-count warrant for the suspect. The suspect was charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct-First Degree and Unarmed Robbery. The suspect, Carlos Alberto Reyes-Velazquez, DOB 10/26/1993 was arraigned in 61st District Court and held on bond. Anyone with additional information about this assault, or the suspect, is asked to call police at 456-3604 or Silent Observer at 774-2345. Silent Observer can also be contacted confidentially at www.silentobserver.org. ## 1 Monroe Center, N.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-2906