Suspect arrested in home invasion; police investigate 2nd case

1/8/2006

Two home-invasion robberies occurred this weekend at occupied residences in different parts of Toledo, including one yesterday that resulted in the stabbings of a mother and her 14-year-old daughter on the city's east side, according to police records.

Tari Stults, 44, and her daughter, whose name was not released, were treated for nonlife-threatening injuries following the incident at their house in the 1800 block of Homestead Street, police said.

Ms. Stults told police she was sleeping on a couch about

7:45 a.m. when the man forced his way in through a door and began attacking her and her daughter while demanding money. The woman said she also was protecting a baby, who was not harmed.

Bryan Laas, 40, of 1905 Tracy Rd., Northwood, was arrested six hours later and charged with two counts of felonious assault.

On Friday night, a man forced his way into an apartment in the 4300 block of West Alexis Rd.

Phillip Battle III told police the man kicked in a door about 11:35 p.m. and pointed a gun at him. Mr. Battle was not hurt. About $450 was stolen, police said.

Police were looking for a black man who is about six feet tall and weighs about 200 pounds. He was wearing a black ski mask, black coat, and blue jeans.