GRAND RAPIDS — An Ohio man faces one count of felony theft by swindle after allegedly scamming elderly victims in the Grand Rapids and Hibbing area out of thousands of dollars.
The Grand Rapids Police Department stated in a news release that the Itasca County Dispatch Center fielded numerous reports Monday morning, Feb. 3, regarding scammers. Area residents reported they were called by a scammer claiming their grandson was arrested following a car crash. The scammer then demanded immediate payment of $17,000 for legal fees or bail.
The report identified three senior victims who each prepared cash envelopes to hand to the unknown man who arrived at their door shortly after the phone call. Two victims were from Grand Rapids and one was from Hibbing. Court documents stated the scam was executed identically in each case.
Based on the victims’ descriptions and review of home security footage, 20-year-old RaShawn Carter of Canton, Ohio, was arrested in Grand Rapids on Monday. A search of his vehicle found approximately $42,800 cash as well as signed envelopes from the victims. Court documents stated the combined total of the three thefts was more than $49,000.
Carter remained in the Itasca County Jail as of Wednesday.
"Law enforcement strongly urges the community to remain vigilant and to verify any claims of family members in distress by directly reaching out to that family member or another trusted contact," stated Grand Rapids Police Chief Andy Morgan in the release.
Anyone who has received a similar scam call is encouraged to report it to the Itasca County Sheriff's Office at 218-326-3477.
-
Plus: Second Harvest Northland selects a new site for the Grand Rapids Food Shelf; and the St. Louis County Landfill may get double the trash with expansion in the five-county region. -
Contributed/Becker County Sheriff's Office Facebook PageThe storm caused damage to buildings, trees and power lines. Thousands experienced power outages due to the storm. -
Erin Bowman/KAXEThe nonprofit's new food shelf location in downtown Grand Rapids is closer to other services and more walkable compared to the current location off Highway 2 in LaPrairie. -
Chelsey Perkins/Datawrapper graphicThe location of the July 6, 2026, incident is an area commonly used as a swimming beach, and the woman was reportedly swimming at the time. -
Plus: Single-engine plane crashes at Pine River Airport; data center regulations to be discussed by Carlton County Board; and Independence Day parades get the weather gamut.
-
Contributed/Rock Ridge Public Schools via FacebookRock Ridge officials and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office have previously said there was no indication any local students were victims or involved with the case. -
Scott Rodgerson/UnsplashThe Cass County Sheriff’s Office reported a 71-year-old from Pella, Iowa, was piloting the 1984 Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft at the time of the July 5, 2026, incident. -
Contributed/Canva Pro graphicAccording to a news release, the man was in the middle of the eastbound traffic lane as the driver was traveling east at the 13000 block of County Highway 16 on July 5, 2026. -
Canva Graphic/KAXEResponders were forced to evacuate the area because of severe thunderstorms moving into the region July 3, 2026. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXECrowds of varying sizes showed up in both the sunshine and during a heavy downpour for annual Fourth of July parades in Iron Range communities.
