DETROIT – Detroit police have arrested a suspect in a disturbing sexual assault case that occurred on Labor Day on the city’s west side.
Update: Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office denies charges in Detroit park sexual assault case
The incident occurred on Monday (Sept. 1) near St. Martins Avenue and Pinehurst Avenue at Van Antwerp Park.
Investigators say a social media post by the victim helped lead them to the suspect.
The victim was forced from a friend’s vehicle at gunpoint, police said.
Police said the victim was sitting in the car around 9:55 p.m. when a man allegedly forced her out and told her to go to the porta-potty.
When she refused, the suspect fired a shot at the ground to show he was serious.
The man then sexually assaulted the woman before fleeing on foot, according to police.
The victim initially did not report the attack to the police.
Instead, she posted a photo of the suspect and his name on social media.
She also went to the hospital and obtained a rape kit.
Once police were notified, the Detroit Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit launched an investigation to determine if the suspect was involved in other cases.
The victim later identified the man during a lineup of suspects, leading to his arrest.
Neighbors expressed shock that the suspect may live in the area.
“I’m up here on the daily, and he is too. It’s like we didn’t know he was on that attention,” one resident said.
The rape kit played a crucial role in the investigation.
The suspect has not yet been charged but is expected to face criminal sexual conduct charges in the coming days.