Task force nabs Champion man suspected in W.Va. homicide

The fugitive may have been in the area to kill a relative.

By TIM YOVICH

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

CHAMPION — A Champion man who is a suspect in a West Virginia homicide and another shooting was captured Thursday afternoon.

Roger Dale Grimm, 41, who gave an address of 5075 Mahoning Ave., was arrested in a stolen van about 12:45 p.m. at Mahoning Avenue and state Route 82 after he briefly tried to flee, authorities said.

Dean Michael, a federal marshal in charge of the U.S. Marshal’s Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, said there were active warrants charging Grimm with two counts of armed robbery.

He is also a “strong suspect” in the shooting death last Friday in the Clarksburg, W.Va., area and the wounding of a man early Thursday, Michael said.

The marshal explained that Grimm had returned here to possibly kill a relative, who has been charged with rape of a child.

It was because he has relatives here that local police were on the lookout from Grimm, Michael said.

Michael said a Champion Township police officer spotted the green van and tried to stop him at Mahoning and Route 82. Grimm made a brief attempt to flee in the van, but gave up to a number of law enforcement officers, Michael said.

A 12-gauge shotgun, which Michael said is suspected as a murder weapon, was found inside the van. The van he was driving was reported stolen Jan. 1 in Warren.

Grimm is being held in the Trumbull County Jail. Police from the Harrison County (W.Va.) Sheriff’s Office were scheduled to arrive here Thursday night.

A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office in Harrison County was not available to comment.

A story published Thursday in the Clarksburg Exponent Telegram said that police believe a 50-year-old Lost Creek, W.Va., man found dead Saturday in his home was murdered. Lost Creek is about a 15-minute drive from Clarksburg.

Radio station WAJR in Clarksburg reported that Grimm is a suspect in the killing of Thomas Nutter. He’s also the man authorities believe committed two armed robberies before shooting a man in Clarksburg on Thursday morning.

The newspaper account said police were searching for two possible suspects, a couple in their 30s or 40s from the Cleveland area who stayed with the victim last Thursday and Friday.

yovich@vindy.com