The suspects, Damontres Darnell Mitchell, 18, and Jassan Rashaad Hughes, 18, are each charged with one count of aggravated sexual assault and two counts of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon in the 174th State District Court.
Since Dec. 14, there have been a series of aggravated robberies and one sexual assault at the Terry Hershey Park hike/bike trail. The suspects were described only as two black males in their late teens, wearing ski masks or bandannas on their faces. The males displayed a weapon and demanded property from their victims.
A police investigation led officers to arrest Mitchell on Monday, reportedly driving a stolen vehicle that was taken in an aggravated robbery last Friday near the park. Mitchell led officers on a brief pursuit. Once the vehicle was stopped, police say Mitchell ran off on foot, but was later captured.
The passenger of the vehicle was identified as Hughes, who also evaded officers on foot, but was later caught. A female was found in the car but she does not appear to be involved in the park incidents.
Evidence led investigators to charge Mitchell and Hughes in the sexual assault of an adult female jogger in the park at 989 Eldridge on Jan. 3. They also believe the suspects are responsible for the following robberies at these park addresses:
- 600 Nottingham Oaks Trail about 11 p.m. on Dec. 14
- 14800 Broadgreen about 10:15 a.m. on Dec. 16
- 14814 Perthshire about 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 3
- 1000 S. Dairy Ashford about 4:35 p.m. on Jan. 5
- 15200 Memorial Drive about 5 p.m. on Jan. 5
- 1000 Dairy Ashford about 9:25 a.m. on Jan. 6
Additional details of the crimes were revealed as Mitchell and Hughes appeared in court on Wednesday morning. A prosecutor described the sex crime to the court.
She read into the court record, "Defendant Mitchell then told her to take off all her clothes. Complainant complied. Defendant Mitchell told her he would kill her if she didn't cooperate."
According to investigators, Mitchell then forced the woman to have sex with him.
Mitchell and Hughes allegedly confessed to the crime, as well as robbing an 85-year-old man at the park of his wallet, phone, and car keys, also at gunpoint. Prosecutors say the two also recently robbed a pizza delivery man and stole his car.
Hughes will be held without bond because of a separate felony hold-over. Mitchell's bond was set at $30,000. He's due back in court Thursday morning.
Anyone with additional information on suspects Mitchell and Hughes is urged to contact the HPD Robbery Division at 713-308-0700.
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