Warrants are issued for robbery suspect

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Toledo police have secured arrest warrants for a man accused of targeting women in five robberies in eight days, including one that escalated to a sexual assault.

De'Lexis Andre Maloy, 20, of Toledo, suspected in at least two robberies of women, has been charged with kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and of robbery.

The warrants for kidnapping and aggravated robbery resulted from an attack Monday on Chawone Ardrey, when the suspect chatted with her about an apartment lease in the 2400 block of Collingwood Boulevard before allegedly pointing a gun at her and forcing her into her vehicle.

Ms. Ardrey handed over $15 but refused to comply with his order to drive to an ATM. She fled toward her apartment and was chased by the suspect, police said.

The two struggled at her front door before Ms. Ardrey managed to shut him out.

Mr. Maloy is also charged in a robbery that police initially did not consider part of the alleged series of crimes over the eight days. All but one case involved attacks on women alone in their vehicles, Toledo police Capt. Ray Carroll said.

Another robbery charge was in connection with a March 4 crime against Ashley Foster.

The suspect wrestled with the victim and pulled her hair before stealing her cell phone at the Crown Inn motel, police said.

Police held a news conference Wednesday to show surveillance photos taken of the suspect, now identified as Mr. Maloy.

Captain Carroll said he remains concerned Mr. Maloy is becoming increasingly confident and dangerous.

Gone is the bandana he used to cover his face in the early robberies, Captain Carroll said, including a Subway restaurant March 2 and a March 3 robbery in which he confronted a 42-year-old woman at gunpoint from the backseat of her car in a parking lot off South Avenue.

Police suspect Mr. Maloy also in a robbery and sexual assault at Collingwood Boulevard and Palmwood Avenue late Tuesday and another backseat robbery at 330 West Central Ave. early Tuesday.

Court records show that Mr. Maloy has an adult and juvenile history of violent crimes and burglaries.

"It's important for us to get him off the streets," Captain Carroll said. "He's been known to carry a gun. He's already committed several crimes. So having [arrest] warrants issued is only half the battle."

Contact Bridget Tharp at:

btharp@theblade.com

or 419-724-6086.