A judge in Niles Municipal Court set bail at $750,000 for a man accused of forcing his way into a home and pushing an elderly woman to the floor.

Leonard Powell, 56, of Niles pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charge of aggravated burglary. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Wednesday morning.

Police Chief Jay Holland says investigators believe it was Powell who came to a Maple Street home on Friday and told the 87-year-old resident he was collecting signatures on a petition.

The woman says the man forced his way inside the home, pushed her down, and tried to rob her.

The suspect ran away, spurring a search by police.

Chief Holland says dispatchers got a tip from a citizen that led police to a fourplex on Sayers Avenue. It was then that a 9-1-1 call came in from Powell asking for medical help.

Since no one answered the door, officers forced their way in and found Powell on the floor, apparently after he swallowed several pills. Police say they found an Ohio State University shirt like the one worn by the break-in suspect, as well as other items related to the burglary inluding a red mask, according to Niles Police Captain John Marshall. 

Powell was taken to Mercy Health and placed under guard until he was well enough to be taken to jail.

Chief Holland says the victim told him she is a little sore after the ordeal but will be okay.