Suspect in fatal stabbing arrested in North Toledo

6/16/2004

A registered sexual predator in Lucas County who is charged in connection with the stabbing death of an Oak Harbor man at a South Toledo motel was arrested without incident yesterday at a friend s house in North Toledo.

George L. Eskridge, 40, whose last known address was in the 700 block of North Detroit Avenue, was taken into custody about 4 p.m. at 558 Spring St. He is charged with murder in the June 6 death of Gregory Jenkins, 44, at the Budget Inn on South Reynolds Road.

Police had the license plate number of a van Eskridge supposedly was driving. They spotted the van and stopped it. Eskridge s friend was driving and told police Eskridge was at his residence, police said.

Eskridge was being held in the Lucas County jail pending arraignment today in Toledo Municipal Court.

Jenkins was found in a second-floor hallway with stab wounds to his leg and back.

He died less than two hours later. Investigators believe the slaying was drug related.