2 teens arrested in GR sexual assault

Grand Rapids police arrested two juveniles in connection to the sexual assault of a Grand Valley State University student on the city's west side.

The 21-year-old victim was assaulted the night of Sept. 10 as she walked near Valley Avenue and Fulton Street NW.

Police said the woman took a bus from class and was walking home when the assault happened. The victim told police two juvenile males approached her and tried to engage her in conversation several times. They then physically and sexually assaulted her.

The attack was stopped by one of her roommates who saw what was happening.

Police did not release the extent of the victim's injuries.

A 14-year-old and a 16-year-old from Grand Rapids were arrested Sept. 14.

They were processed at a juvenile facility and are being held on first-degree criminal sexual conduct and unarmed robbery charges.

Both suspects have had prior run-ins with the juvenile system.

The latest case will now be forwarded to the Kent County Prosecutor's Office.

The suspects do not live in the neighborhood where the assault happened, but have connections there.

GRPD Chief Kevin Belk told 24 Hour News 8 that after descriptions and a composite sketch were released Sept. 11, numerous tips came into the department and detectives were able to follow up and arrest the teen shown in the sketch.

From there, investigators were able to find out who his alleged accomplice was and arrest him.

Belk called the attack "very troubling" and said it "offends all of us deeply."

"This was a very high-profile case for us," he said. "High priority for the department. We've had officers working in that neighborhood constantly since Monday evening."

The prosecutor is expected to decide whether the teens will be charged as adults.

Kristin Jones, a GVSU senior, lives near where the assault happened. She said news of the assault changed her mindset.

"It was right down the street," she said. "It's kind of thrust upon you."

Police said they are working to try to make the west side of the city safer for college students.

"We'll work with Grand Valley," Belk said. "Try to figure out whether there's better ways to provide security for their students as they travel or leave to and from the bus stops and from the downtown campus."

"I've noticed that there's been a few more (officers) around and I feel a little bit better," said Jones. "But they can't catch everything."

Anyone with further information about the incident is asked to contact GRPD at 616.456.3604 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345.