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Police Arrest 7th Suspect in Homecoming Dance Gang Rape

By Kamika Dunlap on January 21, 2010 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

An ex-con who allegedly participated in the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl leaving her homecoming dance in Richmond, California has been arrested.

According to the Associated Press, 43-year-old John Crane Jr. walked into the police station and turned himself in without incident.

Crane was recently identified by investigators as a suspect in the gang rape of the 16-year-old girl. Police described him as an ex-con with a history of violent crime.

Investigators said John Crane Jr. raped the Richmond High School student on Oct. 24 while she was unconscious. Since the incident and despite an intensive manhunt they had not been able to locate him, police said.

Crane however, turned himself in and was arrested on suspicion of felony sexual assault. His bail was set at $100,000.

He is double the age of the other suspects who have been arrested.

As previously discussed, six other suspects between 15 and 21 years old remain in custody, charged with numerous felonies in connection with the robbery, beating and hours-long sexual assault of the 16-year-old victim in an isolated area nearby Richmond High School campus.

The juveniles -- 15-year-old Cody Ray Smith, 16-year-old Ari Morales and 17-year-old Marcelles Peter -- are being charged as adults. The other defendants are Jose Montano, Manuel Ortega and Elvis Torrentes.

The case sparked nationwide media attention and public outrage after learning that as many as two dozen bystanders witnessed the rape or knew about the incident and did not report it.

The rape prompted school officials to implement new security measures, including better lighting in the area where the girl was raped. In addition the school also has begun to offer classes and other activities focused on nonviolence.

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