Probe continues into Grube murders

Van Wert independent/contributor content

CELINA — Mercer County Sheriff’s Department investigators are continuing their search for the people who killed an elderly man and his daughter near Fort Recovery.

According to Sheriff Jeff Grey, a witness has come forward and has worked with detectives and agents from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation to develop a composite drawing of one of the suspects (at right).

The suspect’s hair is described as reddish blonde while the man was said to be stocky and shorter than 5-foot-7. The witness believes the suspect is approximately 30 years old.

“There are many similarities to the two cases, but we have not made a connection at this point,” Sheriff Grey said of a similar home invasion incident near the village of Mendon, in which William Fair, 79, and his daughter, Kathy, 47, were bound, but not killed, during a home invasion burglary on February 25.

Detective Lance Crum has been assigned to be the lead investigator on the Mendon case, while Detective Doug Timmerman continues to investigate the murders of Robert Grube, 70, and his daughter, Colleen, 47.  Detective Megan Baker and Ohio BCI&I agents will assist in both investigations as needed, while Lt. Martin Emerine has been reassigned from the patrol division to the detective bureau to follow up on other cases that need investigative attention.

Mercer County residents are urged to be alert, watch their neighbors’ property and report suspicious activity.  Suspicious activity should be reported to the Sheriff’s Department dispatch number, 419.586.7724. Anonymous tips may be left on the sheriff’s office website at www.mercercountysheriff.org or by calling the tip line at 567.890.TIPS (8477).