Joseph Grove charged in check fraud investigation

BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) – A Mahoning County grand jury has returned two counts of indictment against Joseph Grove, accusing him of involvement in a check fraud case.

An April investigation into a forged check presented to a local bank resulted in an arrest and a stolen SUV for police.

According to police reports, Grove took a check made out to the gas company from a mailbox at U.S. 224 and Parkside Drive on March 27 and then attempted to forge it and cash it at a local bank a few days later. When the bank found the forgery suspicious and began making calls, Grove fled, according to reports.

On Friday of that week, Boardman officers were called to assist U.S. Marshals in arresting Grove at a location on Tiffany South. During the arrest, police discovered a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV in the parking lot that had been reported stolen in Strongsville, Ohio.

Inside the vehicle, police found a Visa debit card in the name of Joseph Grove, several room keys from various hotels, a bank book with Grove’s name on it, and nine “fraudulent” personal checks all made out to Grove, as well as charging papers and a house arrest form in Grove’s name, according to the police report.

Grove was charged Thursday with two counts of receiving stolen goods in connection with the case. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 4.

Patty Coller contributed to this report.