KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Police says cell phone photos taken during a party helped them identify the teen charged with raping a Western Michigan University student at gunpoint during a home invasion and robbery last October.
17 year old Montell Parker was arraigned in Kalamazoo County District Court Wednesday on charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, first-degree home invasion, and armed robbery connected to the October incidents.
WWMT-TV says according to court documents, investigators identified Parker and the two suspects through a cell phone video selfie.
Investigators said the seized phone contained videos of three teens at a garage party in the 1300 block of Fraternity Village Drive. It was recorded on October 2, 2021, about 90 minutes before the alleged home invasion and rape. The alleged victim’s apartment is located at a nearby apartment complex.
The TV station says according to court documents, two other teens were with Parker at the Bronco Club apartment complex on Michigamme Woods Drive 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Parker was 16-years-old when investigators said he raped a 20-year-old woman at gunpoint while the other two intruders ransacked her apartment. They reportedly stole the victim’s watch, cell phone, and two vehicles, including the victim’s car.
Officers located one of the vehicles a short time later and attempted to stop it. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed until the vehicle became disabled. The occupants fled the scene and were not located. Detectives began investigating this incident and were able to identify the suspects.
November 30, 2021, a 16-year-old was charged in juvenile court for first-degree home invasion, fleeing and eluding and unlawful driving away of an automobile, for his role in the incident.
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