Sarah Ulmer contributed to this article.
VICKSBURG, Miss.- Police have arrested two men who they say robbed and raped a 72-year-old. It happened Saturday in the River City and Police Chief Walter Armstrong said in a press conference Tuesday morning that within a few hours detectives already knew who they were looking for.
Jacorey Thomas, 20 is charged with rape, sexual battery, kidnapping, and home invasion.
Mark Carver, Jr., 27, is charged with home invasion, armed robbery and credit card fraud.
“The victim reminds me of a picture-perfect image of anyone’s mother or grandmother,” said Armstrong. “We look forward to Jacorey Thomas and Mark Carver, Jr. getting very familiar with what the inside of a jail cell looks like.”
ENTIRE PRESS CONFERENCE
Armstrong said they have a strong case, based on the description from the victim, but he said they also took DNA evidence and are awaiting analysis from the Mississippi Crime Lab. Armstrong praised his investigators for their work.
Police got the call Saturday morning about 6:30 and went to Mundy St. when the woman went to a neighbor’s home for help. She said two men had entered her home and raped her at gunpoint. They ransacked the place and took cash.
Though credit card fraud was a charge, Armstrong declined to discuss whether or not the woman’s card or cards had been stolen and used in the area.
Thomas and Carver could get up to life in prison on the armed robbery and rape charges, said D.A. Ricky Smith.
“We will make sure that any indictment that is handed down will include the elderly enhancement, which will double the penalty. All the crimes that are charged at this time do fall under that elderly enhancement provision.”
Smith declined to discuss much more, saying they are sticking close to rules about pre-trial publicity, so they do not damage the case before it goes to court.
Armstrong said that whether or not the grand jury gets the case in the next session in January would depend on the DNA evidence and the time it could take to process at the state crime lab.
