East Toledoan accused of assaulting 2 men

4/30/2008

An East Toledo man accused of assaulting two men, one of whom suffers from dementia, was arraigned yesterday in Toledo Municipal Court.

Nathan Popovich, 20, of 844 Oak St., was charged with two counts of felonious assault and remains in the Lucas County jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

About 11:30 a.m. Monday, Noel Popp, 64, walked inside a house at the Oak Street address through an unlocked front door. Mr. Popp, who police said suffers from dementia, began mumbling to a child inside, a report said.

Mr. Popovich came downstairs, told Mr. Popp to leave, and escorted him outside. Mr. Popp tried to re-enter the house and Mr. Popovich is accused of then striking him on the head and body with his fist, causing numerous facial fractures, court records show.

Mr. Popp was taken to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, where he was in fair condition last night.

An hour later, police were called to 826 Oak on a report of an assault.

Don Bogdanski, 51, who was being treated by Toledo firefighters, told police he was assaulted by two to four men at 750 Chesbrough St., where he was working as a maintenance man, a report said.

According to court records, Mr. Popovich is accused of hitting Mr. Bogdanski in the head and body, causing "possible rib fractures and a laceration to his head which required several staples to close."