Suspect in robberies of women is arrested

De'Lexis Andre Maloy 20, of Toledo is being held in the Lucas County jail with a court appearance slated for today. Enlarge

A crucial piece of information from a tipster Friday led to the arrest of a 20-year-old man accused of targeting women in five robberies over eight days in early March, including one that escalated into sexual assault, Toledo police said

Chief Mike Navarre said information describing the suspect's vehicle was given to Sgt. Tim Noble, who passed the information on to Officer Jim Mrkva, who made the arrest while on patrol.

Toledo police had searched for more than a week for De'Lexis Andre Maloy, for whom warrants were previously issued on charges of kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and robbery.

The Toledo man was arrested about 12:55 p.m. in South Toledo after he pulled into a private drive at 514 Danberry St., Chief Navarre said. Mr. Maloy was charged with five counts of aggravated robbery, four counts of kidnapping, and one count of rape and was booked into the Lucas County jail.

Two other people inside the vehicle with Mr. Maloy have been released, Chief Navarre said.

Mr. Maloy had been observed in the vehicle earlier while driving in the 2800 block of Airport Highway.

On March 10, police released videos and held a news conference seeking the public's help in finding Mr. Maloy, who has an adult and juvenile history of vio-lent crimes and burglaries.

The warrants for kidnapping and aggravated robbery resulted from an attack on March 8.

The suspect allegedly chatted with a woman about an apartment lease in the 2400 block of Collingwood Boulevard before pointing a gun at her and forcing her into her vehicle.

Police said the woman handed over $15 but refused to comply with the assailant's order to drive to an ATM.

She fled toward her apartment and was chased by the suspect, police said.

Another robbery charge was in connection with an incident on March 4.

Mr. Maloy is accused of wrestling with a woman that day before stealing her cell phone at the Crown Inn motel.

In another instance, police suspect Mr. Maloy in a robbery and sexual assault at Collingwood Boulevard and Palmwood Avenue on March 9.

All but one of the cases involved attacks on women who were alone in their vehicles, Toledo police Capt. Ray Carroll has said.

Mr. Maloy's appearance in Toledo Municipal Court is scheduled for today.

Contact Mike Sigov at:

sigov@theblade.com

or 419-724-6089.