NEWS MEDIA INFORMATION REPORT
SUBJECT OF RELEASE: Multiple County Felony Arrest
DATE AND TIME: Approximately 9:16 P.M on Friday, April 23, 2021.
LOCATION: Berridge Road near Snows Lake Road, Eureka Township.
AUTHORITY/CONTACT PERSON: Sheriff Mike Williams
Montcalm County deputies were dispatched regarding an assault that had just occurred on Berridge Road near Snows Lake Road at approximately 9:16 P.M. on Friday, April 23, 2021. The victim, an Ionia woman, was located at the scene. The suspect, which was identified as Nathanael Allan Ray age 24 from Belding, had fled the scene.
The investigation revealed that Ray and the woman were acquaintances and that an argument erupted between the two on the roadway. Ray produced a knife and threatened the woman. During the incident, the woman ran away, however, Ray caught her and forced her back into the vehicle at knifepoint. The woman was able to flee a second time. An approaching passerby caused Ray to flee as well. With the help of the passerby, the woman was able to call Central Dispatch. A search for Ray that evening was unsuccessful.
Efforts to apprehend Ray continued until officers with the Belding Police Department were able to locate and arrest him on April 27, 2021 on unrelated charges. The investigation by the Sheriff’s Office continued and resulted in Ray being criminally charged with several felonies including Kidnapping, Assault with Intent to Commit a Sexual Assault, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Interfering with an Electronic Communication, and Malicious Destruction of Personal Property as well as a misdemeanor Aggravated Assault charge.
Ray is currently being held in the Montcalm County Jail on a $200,000.00 bond.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Montcalm County Central Dispatch, Montcalm County Emergency Medical Services, the Greenville Department of Public Safety, the Belding Police Department, Ionia County Sheriff’s Office and Central Dispatch, and the Michigan State Police.
