RICHMOND, Calif., Nov. 3 (UPI) -- A 21-year-old man, suspected of committing several felonies during the brutal gang rape of a 15-year-old California girl, was arrested Tuesday, police said.
The suspect, whose identity has not yet been released, is being interrogated by police regarding his alleged role in the Richmond, Calif., incident, and is being held in lieu of $1.2 million bond, ABC and the Contra Costa Times reported.
The other suspects in the gang rape include Jose Carlos Montano, 18, Manuel Ortega, 19, Marcelles James Peter, 17, Abdallah Morael, 16, Ari Morales, 16, and Cody Ray Smith, 15. Salvador Rodriquez, 21, was released from custody due to insufficient evidence, Richmond police Lt. Mark Gagan, said.
The suspects face multiple charges, including rape and rape in concert with force, the news agencies reported.
"You can tell by the number of felonies and how high his bail is that we believe that this individual played a significant role in the rape," Gagan told ABC, referring to Tuesday's arrest.
The victim was attacked as she left her school's homecoming dance on Oct. 24. She joined several classmates and young adults in the courtyard, where she became incapacitated from alcoholic drinks. She was repeatedly beaten, stripped and raped, possibly by as many as 10 males over the course of two hours. Others looked on, some photographed, jeered and egged the others on. No one intervened, the Contra Costa Times reported.
The girl spent several days in the hospital, and has received a nationwide outpouring of support, police said.
Police are seeking even more suspects in connection with the rape, ABC reported.
"This case is far from over. We are still waiting for the analysis of the DNA evidence which takes several weeks." said Gagan.
