Man wanted for kidnapping, assault arrested in Ohio, Ann Arbor police say
A man accused of tying up a 17-year-old and cutting another man's face with a knife was arrested in Ohio, Ann Arbor police said.
Jerome Jopila Powell Jr., 32, had been sought since Aug. 23. He is charged with unlawful imprisonment, assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, car theft, assault with a dangerous weapon and domestic violence.
Ann Arbor Police Sgt. Brian Jatczak said today that Powell was captured near Toledo with help from a task force there. Police learned he might be in the Toledo area because he has a relative who lives there, Jatczak said.
Powell is accused of cutting his 40-year-old roommate after the man returned to his West Summit Street apartment. Police said Powell then drove away in a van after the victim chased him.
Officers discovered the 17-year-old in the basement with his legs and hands bound with belts.
Jatczak said the teen and Powell know each other, and Powell lured him to the house. He said the motive for tying him up remains unclear.
Comments
Angela
Tue, Nov 9, 2010 : 8:02 a.m.
I attended this case when the victim was on the stand yesterday. I'm reporting on it for a class. Jerome's lawyer is terrible and the prosecutor seems to be having no troubles so far bearing the burden of truth goes. The victim seems very sincere in his testimony and I think Jerome won't make it very far during this trial. By the looks on those 15 jury member's faces, Jerome will be going away for a long time. If there are other victims, I too think they should come forward now. The photos of what Jerome did were very disturbing.
mugger_mike
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 11:20 p.m.
His alias is Rome I was at my buddys on the west picking up a car. He asked me if I remembered Rome. He didn't know he had been caught, Rome is know to be a sexual predator down town with young gay males I feel that people that have been assualted by him. Should come forward to testify mabey an artical would help. He has priors six felonys just aren't enough.
Matt Van Auker
Fri, Sep 11, 2009 : 2:23 p.m.
Wow, someone really needs to cut this stuff out. Seems like the West Side is almost going bezerk. Plan to spend the whole day there, tomorrow.