Grafton Chemical Bank Robber Arrested

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Grafton Police Department announce the arrest of Matthew J. Kroffke, 37 years old, for armed bank robbery.

On February 23, 2018, the Chemical Bank located at 351 North Main Street, Grafton, Ohio was robbed by a lone white male that brandished a black handgun as he entered the bank ordering everyone to show their hands. The suspect pointed the handgun in the faces of the bank employees while counting backwards from 30 as tellers obtained money from the teller drawers to provide to the suspect per his demand. The suspect fled in a possible blue Ford Escape parked nearby.

According to the criminal complaint filed in United States District Court Northern District of Ohio, a blue Ford SUV was stopped by law enforcement at 11 a.m. on February 23, 2018 in the vicinity of the victim bank. However, Grafton Police Department did not have the full details of the bank robbery at the time of the traffic stop. Upon full knowledge of the bank robbery and the details involved, the traffic stop was brought to the attention of the assigned investigators and the driver that had been identified as Matthew Kroffke. The police report’s vehicle description matched photos that had been taken of the suspect’s getaway from the bank.

On February 26, 2018, at approximately 7 p.m., Kroffke was taken into custody by FBI agents assigned to the Toledo Resident Agency without incident. Kroffke was held on local charges in Lucas County and then transported to Lorain County. This morning Kroffke was transferred to federal custody by FBI agents assigned to the Cleveland FBI field office.

Kroffke will have an initial appearance today in Magistrate Judge Thomas M. Parker’s courtroom. A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Any questions regarding this news release can be directed to SA Vicki D Anderson at the Cleveland Office of the FBI, 216-522-1400 or Vicki.Anderson@ic.fbi.gov.