Kenosha, Wis. — A 37-year-old Kenosha man appeared in court Thursday facing a slew of felony charges stemming from allegations of identity theft against his elderly father and a standoff with police during his arrest.

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Kenneth S. Grandow, Jr. was charged in two separate criminal cases with felony identity theft to obtain money or credit from an elderly person, felony failure to comply with officers attempting to take a person into custody, disorderly conduct with a dangerous weapon, and resisting an officer. If convicted on all counts, Grandow faces up to nearly 15 years behind bars.

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Kenosha County Court Commissioner William Michel II set cash bail at $5,000 for each case, totaling $10,000.

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A $5,000 arrest warrant had been issued for Grandow on Nov. 12, 2024, in connection with the identity theft case. The additional charges were filed Wednesday after police forcibly entered a home where he had barricaded himself with a knife.

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Accused of Defrauding His Own Father

According to a criminal complaint, the identity theft case began on May 21, 2024, when a Kenosha County investigator received a fraud referral from Capital One. The bank’s fraud department reported that Grandow Jr. had allegedly opened a credit card in his father’s name — Kenneth Grandow Sr., 72 — without his consent, accruing nearly $3,000 in charges and attempting another $6,600 in purchases that were declined.

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Detective Buchanan of the Kenosha Police Department reviewed records showing the account had been opened using the elder Grandow’s Social Security number and birth date, but with a home address linked to the defendant and his mother.

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Three CashApp transactions from the fraudulent account were traced to a relative, Megan Grandow, who told detectives she had been previously “scammed” by the defendant in a phony pest control scheme. When confronted, Grandow Jr. allegedly repaid her using money obtained through the fraudulently opened credit card.

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Capital One provided audio recordings of a man posing as Kenneth Grandow Sr. during phone calls with the bank. Megan later identified the voice as that of Grandow Jr.

Arrest Turns into Armed Standoff

Grandow was arrested Wednesday evening following a tense encounter at a home on 51st Avenue in Kenosha.

According to the complaint, Kenosha police officers had Grandow under surveillance due to his active felony warrant. At approximately 6:50 p.m., officers observed him retrieve groceries from the front porch. When a marked squad car arrived with lights activated, Grandow retreated inside and locked the door.

After officers announced their presence and warned him he was under arrest, Grandow refused to respond. Police ultimately forced entry into the home about six minutes later. Inside, they found Grandow in a back bedroom holding a pocket knife to his throat.

Officers repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapon, but Grandow remained silent and refused to comply. Officers said they feared he could harm himself or others, and a TASER was deployed to disarm him. The knife was secured, and Grandow was taken into custody at approximately 7:07 p.m.

He was treated for injuries caused by the TASER and booked into the Kenosha County Jail.

Next Steps

Grandow is expected to return to court in the coming weeks for a preliminary hearing. Both cases remain under active investigation.

If you or someone you know suspects elder abuse or exploitation, contact the Kenosha County Adult and Disability Resource Center or local law enforcement.