University Park police report that a man has admitted to raping an SMU student on September 7. Torey Jamal Harris, 23, allegedly confessed to the crime while in custody for a second sexual assault in Corsicana.
At 11:15 pm on September 7, an SMU student was jogging about a half mile east of campus when a suspect approached her from behind in the 6700 block of Willard Drive. She told police that the man who raped her at knifepoint was a black male in his early 20s with a crown tattoo on the left side of his neck.
Navarro College police arrested Torey Harris on September 15 — the same day UP police released a sketch of the SMU suspect.
Navarro College police officers arrested Harris on September 15 — the same day UP police released a sketch of the SMU suspect. Navarro College law enforcement noticed Harris resembled that suspect sketch and contacted University Park police.
In addition to both assaults occurring on or near a college campus, the victims each reported that their attacker wielded a small, sharp object, alternately described as a knife and an ice pick. Harris led officers on car and foot chase before being apprehended.
While being interviewed by UP detectives at the Navarro County Jail, Harris confessed to raping the SMU student on September 7. According to UP police chief Greg Spradlin, Harris provided details about the attack that only the perpetrator could know.
"It is our hope this arrest can bring a sense of peace to this community," Spradlin said.
Harris is being held on a $200,000 bond for charges of aggravated sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping.
Torey Harris, 23, is charged with two sexual assaults.
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