A preliminary hearing is scheduled next month for a 30-year-old homeless man accused of trying to rob a man and then attacking a woman and two children over the weekend.

Therrell Jackson will be held without bail after police asserted he has been arrested 12 times for failure to appear in court. Mr Jackson was charged with first-degree assault and child abuse. In court documents, police say the defendant attempted to rob one victim by pushing the victim against a car at 200 South 14th Street in St. Joseph.

When the victim refused to give him money, police say he walked several blocks to the area of 13th and Charles where he allegedly grabbed a small male juvenile around the head. According to the court affidavit, a female juvenile tried to help the boy, and was also struck. Then the females mother tried to help and was struck in the face with a wooden board.

Police say all three of the victims in the second attack were injured, and the adult female required treatment at the hospital.

Police also say he resisted arrest. After the Defendant was taken into custody, police said they found three counterfeit dollar bills and a white crystal substance, consistent with a controlled substance, in his possession.

In a hearing conducted by video conferencing, Associate Judge Keith Marquardt denied bail, finding the defendant to be a danger to the community. Judge Marquardt scheduled a preliminary hearing March 25. Court records show Mr Jackson will apply for a public defender.