Murder suspect waives extradition

By PHIL TREXLER

Akron Beacon Journal

A man accused in the shooting death of a Portage County real-estate agent waived extradition during a hearing Wednesday in North Carolina.

Robert Grigelaitis, 59, appeared in Duplin County Superior Court in Kenansville and told a judge he would not fight his return to Ohio.

A Portage County sheriff’s detective and a U.S. marshal traveled to North Carolina on Wednesday and are expected to escort Grigelaitis back to Ohio. Authorities said the return could happen as soon as today. No local court date has been scheduled.

Grigelaitis is charged with murder in the Sept. 20 shooting death of Andrew VonStein, 51, an agent for Cutler Realty.

VonStein’s body was found inside a vacant house for sale at Twin Lakes. He was shot once in the right side of the chest. His wallet and cell phone were missing.

Grigelaitis emerged as an immediate suspect, and an arrest warrant was issued Sept. 22.

A team of U.S. marshals arrested him Tuesday night in Turkey, N.C., about 600 miles from the Twin Lakes crime scene.

At the time of his arrest, Grigelaitis had a .45- caliber handgun that authorities believe was used in the slaying. He was driving his Ford F-350 truck, the same vehicle he is believed to have used on the day of the shooting, deputies said.

Authorities are examining the truck for evidence, a Duplin County sheriff’s official said Wednesday.

Law-enforcement officials said Grigelaitis has been interviewed by detectives and is cooperating. Portage County Sheriff David Doak declined to comment when asked if Grigelaitis had made any admissions.

Doak also would not comment on a possible motive.

Grigelaitis and VonStein were linked to a Ravenna house that was foreclosed on in 2008.

VonStein arranged the sale in 2002, and Grigelaitis; his wife, Shirley; a former Ravenna couple; and Sheriff Doak’s distant cousin, Richard Doak Jr., were defendants in the foreclosure action.

County property records show a land-contract deal somehow soured and led to the foreclosure.

Grigelaitis’ former home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., also was lost to foreclosure in 2009.