By Scott Smith
Tribune staff writer
Kokomo — The former Kokomo nursing home director arrested last week on drug charges will also be facing burglary and theft charges, police announced Wednesday.
Craig R. Grimes, 33, was arrested on felony drug-dealing charges Aug. 30 after investigators executed a search warrant at Grimes’ place of employment, the Jefferson Manor retirement home, and at Grimes’ Laramie Lane residence.
Wednesday, investigators announced new charges against Grimes, saying they found property stolen from a Jefferson Manor resident in Grimes’ possession.
Members of the Kokomo Police Department’s drug task force initiated the investigation into Grimes after police received information regarding multiple out-of-state shipments of methamphetamine coming to Kokomo from Henderson, Nev., according to a probable cause affidavit filed Sept. 1 in Howard Superior Court 1.
Police believe the meth shipments were being sent to Grimes at Jefferson Manor.
The affidavit said Grimes has been receiving shipments of meth and prescription pills on a weekly basis. Grimes then sold the meth for $100 per gram to numerous people in Kokomo, police allege.
Grimes has since been fired from his job and remained incarcerated at the Howard County Jail Wednesday on $100,000 bond.
Grimes had served as executive director of Jefferson Manor since August 2007.
Police Wednesday did not detail any of the items allegedly found in Grimes’ possession.
Last week, however, police said Grimes was allegedly seen the week prior in possession of a blue and black backpack containing a silver coin collection that was stolen either from a dying or a deceased resident of Jefferson Manor.
Search warrants were executed at Jefferson Manor, as well as Grimes’ residence and his vehicle. During the searches, officers allegedly found a baby food jar containing marijuana, a small plastic bag of meth and digital scales.
This case remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call Detective Michael Banush at 765-456-7278, the Kokomo Police Hotline at 765-456-7017, or you may qualify for a cash reward by calling Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS with your anonymous information.
• Scott Smith is a Kokomo Tribune staff writer. He may be reached at 765-454-8569 or via e-mail at scott.smith@kokomotribune.com
