By Courtney Gousman
St. Louis (KSDK) - The three men arrested for the kidnapping and rape of a 52-year-old woman in south St. Louis, have been charged.
All three men live in south St. Louis, and one lives just a few blocks from where the 52-year-old woman was kidnapped.
Residents living near the 3700 block of Delor are reacting to news of Monday night's kidnapping and rape.
"Oooo Jesus! It's heartbreaking and it's scary," said south city resident Precious Cromwell.
"It really upset me because it seems like a lot has been going on lately," said Scott Singer, another resident.
Police say an employee of a local bar was forced into her car around 11:30 p.m., and was raped and sexually assaulted at gunpoint for five hours, while the men drove around the city.
Tuesday night police arrested 17-year-old Lawrence Brandon, 20-year-old Antonieo Clark, and 19-year- old Antoin Brewer for the crimes.
"Each of these young men are facing 16 counts, ranging from kidnapping to rape, to forcible sodomy, deviate sexual assault, armed criminal action, robbery, stealing, very serious charges," said St. Louis Circuit Attorney, Jennifer Joyce.
Joyce has been a prosecutor for 18 years, and says she hasn't seen such a horrendous crime like this in a long time.
"I had the same thought that I'm sure a lot of people did when they watched it. It's a horrible crime. It's every woman's nightmare," said Joyce.
According to court documents, the woman was told to cooperate, or she would be killed.
Joyce says Brandon and Clark actually committed the sexual assaults, while Brewer held the victim at gunpoint. Despite their roles, all three men face the same charges.
"Each one of these defendants committed parts of this crime, acting together. And so under Missouri law, they were acting together and can all be charged with all the crimes that were committed that night," said Joyce.
Prosecutors say in addition to the physical assault the men also stole the victim's jewelry and money.
The woman was able to escape when the men stopped at a gas station in the 1300 block of Gravois.
"This was just a nightmare for the victim and I'm grateful she was able to get away from them and that she is here to help us prosecute," said Joyce.
All three men face life in prison. They are being held on a $200,000 cash-only bond.
KSDK