CALHOUN COUNTY (WKZO-AM/FM) — Two men arrested at a Battle Creek motel after a break-in and robbery at a mobile home in Bedford Township could be facing up to life in prison after it was revealed one of the female victims was sexually assaulted.
Twenty-two-year-old Dernel Gothard and 18-year-old Oshea Robinson have been charged on seven counts each, including criminal sexual conduct, home invasion, kidnapping, armed robbery, assault and unlawful imprisonment.
Police say both men were wearing masks when they forced their way into the home on Baughman Court early Thursday morning armed with a knife. A 45-year-old woman and her 18-year-old niece were both bound and gagged during the home invasion, and the older woman was reportedly choked to unconsciousness and sexually assaulted.
The two suspect left with cell phones, cash and other items. Sgt. Todd Madsen said the items were recovered when the pair was arrested.
Police say the younger woman recognized the older attacker as someone she had dated and the younger man as his friend, and was able to give police their names.
They were later tracked to the motel on Van Buren Street, where they were arrested.
