No bond for teens in west side GR rape

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A pair of teens held in the rape and robbery of a Grand Valley State University student both have criminal records that involve weapons, and one allegedly has had ties with a gang, court records show.

The boys, ages 16 and 14, were ordered held without bond on Monday at the Kent County Juvenile Detention Center. Kent County prosecutors asked for five more days to investigate before filing charges.

Records show the oldest teen turned 16 the day after the Sept. 10 attack near West Fulton Street and Valley Avenue , across from John Ball Park.

The 16-year-old's trouble with the law started when he was 12 and stole a pair of BMX bikes.  In April 2011, he was 14 when Grand Rapids police arrested him with a loaded 16-gauge shotgun and alcohol in a stolen car at Elm Street and South Division Avenue, not far from his home.

Records show a juvenile court judge has ordered him repeatedly to cut his ties with gangs, even ordered him to write an essay about how he would do that.

He was last ordered this summer to probation at his parents' southwest side home, after being in foster care and at two institutions, and after recently smashing windows at a nearby home.

The suspect appeared in court on Monday through a video connection, with his mother in the courtroom. When asked by a juvenile court referee if she had anything to say, she responded through an interpreter: "Just that they investigate thoroughly."

A short time later, the 14-year-old suspect appeared, without his family.

The 14-year-old's troubles started this summer when he was accused in two separate assaults -- with a knife and a pair of scissors -- at his own home.

He was supposed to be in court on Wednesday for a hearing on those charges.

Records show both were under court orders that would allow juvenile court to monitor them either through electronic tethers or through surveillance. It's not clear whether probation officers exercised either of those options. Juvenile court officials could not be immediately reached.

The attack happened 4 to 5 miles from their homes.