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RICHMOND — Police arrested another suspect this morning in the Oct. 24 gang rape of a 15-year-old student outside the Richmond high homecoming dance.

A SWAT team arrested the 21-year-old man at his Richmond home about 7 a.m., said Lt. Mark Gagan. The suspect, whose identity has not been released, is being held on a $1.2 million arrest warrant.

“He is suspected of committing several felonies,” Gagan said.

Additionally, 18-year-old Jose Carlos Montano, arrested last week, will become the fifth person arraigned in the case this afternoon. Montano was charged today with rape in concert, rape by a foreign object in concert and an enhancement for personally committing a sexual act in concert, prosecutor

David Brown said.

Four other suspects — Cody Ray Smith, 15; Ari Morales, 16; Marcelles Peter, 17; and Manuel Ortega, 19 — were arraigned last week and return to court Thursday. All five charged suspects are being held on high or no bail and face potential life prison sentences. Prosecutors cited the brutality of the crime as reason for charging the underage suspects as adults.

“We are pleased with the progress in this case,” Gagan said. “We are very confident in finding everyone involved in this.”

Prosecutors last week declined to file charges against Salvador Rodriguez, 21, of Richmond, who was released from custody Friday. They cited insufficient evidence to prosecute him.

“There does not appear to be

sufficient evidence at this time,” Gagan said last week. “However, the investigation is ongoing, and the forensic evidence is still being examined.”

Meanwhile, a row of wall-mounted lamps has been installed to illuminate the shadowy courtyard on the north end of campus where the rape occurred.

The victim left her homecoming dance about 9:30 p.m. Oct. 24 Before she called for a ride home, a classmate hanging around in the courtyard with a group of other teens and young adults called out to her. She joined them, and swiftly became incapacitated with strong drink.

Afterward, several of her male companions beat her, stripped her, robbed her of her jewelry and other belongings and repeatedly raped her. The attack lasted about two hours, with different people joining in during its course, and many more passively watching, or even egging on the attackers by jeering and taking cell-phone pictures.

The victim spent several days in the hospital. Police said she has received an outpouring of support from across the country.

“The support the victim’s getting from the community is the most important thing,” Gagan said.

Staff writers Karl Fischer and Roman Gokhman contributed to this story.