COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A local man accused of striking children in the head with a key protruding from his fist inside a Walmart store was arraigned on assault charges Friday.
NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.
Ralph Conone, 68, of Columbus was given a $150,000 cash-surety bond in a Franklin County Municipal courtroom Friday morning.
He is charged with two counts of assault.
Conone is accused of waiting until parents aren't watching, moving in and striking children in the head with a key protruding from his fist.
He was arrested Wednesday night after two alleged assaults in a Bethel Road Walmart.
Columbus police were called to 2700 Bethel Rd. at about 6:55 p.m.
Conone waited until the boys' mother wasn't looking and allegedly hit the boys with his fist. A key was sticking out of his closed fist, according to the police report.
One of the boys sustained a small laceration on the back of his head. He was treated at the scene. The other boy also allegedly was struck. The boys are 6 and 7 years old.
Apparently, the 6-year-old boy came crying to his mother who was in the produce section. He was bleeding.
The boy allegedly pointed to the suspect, and the mother went for store security. Store security escorted him to the parking lot where the mother also confronted him and called 911.
An investigation revealed at least four related incidents with four victims. Two of those four victims have not been identified.
Police asked possible victims to come forward.
Apparently, Conone has been committing the assaults in local stores since at least January 2010, according to a police report.
CPD Sgt. John Hurst told NBC 4 Conone apparently does it for the thrill.
During his arraignment, Conone claimed he is bipolar and is taking medication for his condition.
If Conone were to post bond, he was ordered to stay away from all Walmart stores and all of his alleged victims. He also would be subject to house arrest.
Prosecutor Amy Myers told NBC 4 this is the most bizarre case she's seen in her 18-year career.
NBC 4 spoke to a neighbor of Conone, who said Conone was pleasant and quiet when he spoke, but not outgoing.
Authorities and the media are not showing Conone's face as part of the ongoing investigation.
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
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