GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A woman was assaulted late Thursday night after accepting a ride home from downtown Grand Rapids.
The victim, 22, was hanging out with friends when she became separated from them. While searching for her friends at the corner of Ionia Avenue and Fountain Street, a man approached her, asking if she wanted a ride home. She accepted.
While on the ride home, as the driver approached the area of Maryland and I-196, the suspect allegedly pulled the vehicle over onto the shoulder of the highway and sexually assaulted the woman.
After the assault, the victim said she was forced out of the vehicle as the suspect drove off. She then began to walk, eventually making her way to the East Beltline where she flagged down a Kent County Sheriff Deputy.
The woman told police that the man appeared to be approximately 20 years old, average build, with dark hair and a clean shave. She described the suspect’s vehicle as a newer, silver Corolla-type style, four door.
The Family Service Team investigated the assault.
On Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, detectives issued a warrant at a house located on Eureka Avenue where they believed the man was staying.
Once inside the home, they arrested Carlos Alberto Reyes-Velaquez, 19.
He was arraigned in the 61st District Court and charged with criminal sexual conduct-first degree.
Reyes-Velaquez is being held at the Kent County Jail on $250,000 bond.
Anyone with information about this assault, or the suspect, is asked to call police at 456-3604 or Silent Observer at 774-2345
