Man accused of rapid series of crimes

It took only 21 minutes for Rodney Edward King

Jr. to commit 12 crimes in Franklinton on the night of Aug. 6, authorities say.

A Franklin County grand jury indicted the 29-year-old Southeast Side man on 10 felony counts: four of robbery, two each of aggravated burglary and burglary, and one each of aggravated robbery and felonious assault. King also was indicted on two misdemeanors: aggravated menacing and criminal damaging or endangering.

“During a half-hour time span, this man went from one location to the next, within a oneblock radius, committing multiple felonies against seven different victims,” Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’brien said in a Thursday news release.

Authorities say that in that time, King broke into five homes and apartments, damaged a cab and assaulted a bus driver.

The indictment alleges that:

Between 9:54 p.m. and about 10:15 p.m., King entered the homes of Roy King Reynolds and Benjamin Frye, each of whom was in his home. King also told Frye that he had a knife. The location of the incidents corresponds with Worley Terrace, a senior-living complex.

King also broke into two homes on Brehl Avenue, according to the indictment.

The aggravated menacing charge involves victim Carlos Stroud at a fifth location within a block of the other incidents, according to a spokeswoman for O’brien.

King also allegedly attempted to enter Ayele Belete’s cab and threw a rock at the vehicle, damaging it. He also boarded a COTA bus, pulled out a screwdriver and allegedly swung it at the driver, Vincent Sams, striking Sams in the foot.

Having received calls about King, Columbus police in the area apprehended him, shooting him with a stun gun, division spokeswoman Denise Alex-bouzounis said.

King was taken to Ohiohealth Grant Medical Center for a medical examination before he was booked into the Franklin County jail on Aug. 7, Alex-bouzounis said.

King is scheduled to appear in court Monday for arraignment.