Bond set at $200,000 in rape of 72-year-old

8/11/2001

An East Toledoan charged with assaulting and raping a 72-year-old woman in her home Thursday is being held in the Lucas County jail in lieu of $200,000 bond ordered during his arraignment yesterday in Toledo Municipal Court.

Leander Jones, 39, of 815 Greenwood Ave., stood silently as he was ordered held in the jail by Judge C. Allen McConnell. Even if he posts bond on the charges of rape, felonious assault, and aggravated burglary, he will be held in the jail on a parole violation.

Jones was released from a state prison in April after serving nine years for robbery and receiving stolen property. He is on parole for one year.

“I was very, very happy about [the bond],” the victim said yesterday from her East Toledo home, which neighbors helped secure with new locks for the doors and windows.

About 3 a.m. Thursday, an intruder tried several times to enter the woman's house. He was successful after he stood on a glass patio table he took from a neighboring back yard, police said.

The man, who was carrying a butcher knife, entered through an open bathroom window and charged at the woman, who was in her bedroom. He punched her, hit her on the head with the knife, and raped her twice before taking less than $50.

He was arrested by police a short time later after he was seen riding a bicycle in the 100 block of Main Street.

Police linked him to the crime by the shoes and shirt he was wearing. A footprint was found on the table and paint chips on his shirt are believed to match the paint on the outside of the woman's house. The butcher knife was recovered as well. Sgt. George Kral, a member of the police personal assault unit, said authorities probably will use DNA testing for additional evidence.

One of the woman's friends stayed with her Thursday night. The victim said she couldn't sleep in her bed, so she received some rest on her living room couch. The victim said she plans on staying at her home.