Police: Man attempted rape

SANDUSKY — A Sandusky man was arrested for attempted rape after an incident on Thursday evening. Maxin T. Lash, 43, of the 700 block of W. Park St., is facing one count of attempted rape, a second-degree felony; one count of fifth-degree felony strangulation; and one misdemeanor count of assault. Just after 8 p.m. on Thursday, officers were called to a Second Street home for the report of a sex offense with the alleged perpetrator having fled the area, according to a Sandusky police report. A woman at the home told officers that Lash and another man came to her house, and all three had some drinks before the other man left, leaving just the woman and Lash. While sitting at a table and talking about watching a movie, the woman claimed Lash stood up and approached her, grabbed her around the neck and threw her to the ground, the report states. Lash then allegedly strangled the woman. He then allegedly attempted to sexually assault her. The woman said she grabbed a nearby hammer and struck Lash. He then fled the home. The victim told officers she got up and locked the door. Lash then reportedly returned and attempted to kick the door down because he couldn't find his phone. He then left the property again and fled westbound, the report states. She gave officers a description of Lash, though she did not know his last name. Officers were aware of where Lash and the other man lived, in the 700 block of W. Park St., due to previous incidents, the report states. When they arrived, the other man was out front, and he led the officers to a shed in the backyard where Lash resided. He then permitted them to enter the shed, where they reportedly found Lash sleeping on a bed. Officers were eventually able to wake Lash, who appeared highly intoxicated. He had red marks and scratches on his arms and hands, the report states. After reading him his Miranda Rights, officers asked Lash what happened on Second Street, to which he allegedly replied, "You already know." When they asked him to clarify, he said, "I do a lot of (expletive)." Officers summoned EMTs to evaluate Lash due to the victim claiming she struck him with a hammer. He was found to be okay. Lash was then taken to Erie County Jail where he remains as of late Sunday. His bond on the new charges is $30,000, but he also has a no-bond order because the adult parole authority wants him. He is currently under parole supervision for a 2024 strangulation conviction in Erie County Common Pleas Court. He has a court hearing in Sandusky Municipal Court at 11 a.m. on April 27, according to jail records.