Cold temperatures fail to freeze crime in city
12/11/2011The weekend's cold weather hasn't put a damper on violence, as Toledo police were busy responding to several incidents, including stabbings, thefts, and a group attack on a man.
A band of nine young men assaulted a 37-year-old man late Friday near Bush and Erie streets after he left a carryout, according to police.
Reports state that a youth punched the man in the back of the head, knocking him to the ground, and the other eight joined the assault, striking the man with punches and kicks. One assailant stole his wallet before the group fled, according to a report.
The man's forehead was marked, according to a police report, but he did not require medical attention. The case is under investigation.
Toledo police were also called about 2 a.m. Saturday to a house near Airline and South Detroit avenues for a fight report.
A woman said she was in an altercation and tried to leave in a vehicle when another woman pounded on her vehicle's window. Alexandria Nalls, 20, of Toledo told police when she got out of the vehicle, the woman cut her on the head and the right arm with a 12-inch knife, a report states. She was taken to the University of Toledo Medical Center, the former Medical College Hospital, for treatment. A hospital spokesman said the medical center did not have a patient by that name.
Police found who they believe to be the suspect, Lonniesa L. Harris, 29, of Toledo, nearby wearing no shoes and only one sock. She claimed blood on her hand was from accidentally cutting herself, but police only found a superficial wound on her, according to a report. She was arrested by police for the assault and was being held in the Lucas County jail without bond pending a court appearance.
The incident wasn't the only one involving a knife. Shortly before midnight Friday, a man was assaulted while leaving a Marathon gas station on West Alexis Road. Alfred Alexander, 26, of Toledo told police that three people grabbed him as he left the store and assaulted him.
The assailants stole the man's cell phone, $275 in cash, a six-pack of beer, and a bag of marijuana, a report states. A witness saw one of the robbers reach into his back pocket at one point; a knife was found near the scene, and the victim had a cut by his right eye and a possible knife wound on his left side. He was taken to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center.
A hospital spokesman said she had no information on a patient with his name.
An investigation is pending.
-- Nolan Rosenkrans