Original Article
Kin accused of assisting fugitive son
Lindsey Collom
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 11, 2005 12:00 AM
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS - The mother and stepfather of a rape suspect who hid in Ahwatukee Foothills were arrested Friday after police say they helped him evade authorities.
Phoenix police say Carol Grover, 56, and Patrick Grover, 39, helped Timothy Choate assume a new identity and denied any knowledge of his whereabouts. Choate had been on the run for 14 years.
The Grovers were taken into custody outside their rental home, 16805 S. 44th St., and arrested on suspicion of hindering prosecution.
Federal agents recently discovered that Choate, 39, had been hiding in Ahwatukee Foothills after tracing cable bills in Carol Grover's name to two addresses, one occupied by her son who lived two miles away at 4612 E. Lavender Lane.
Choate was taken into custody last week and is being held on $150,000 bond on a fugitive-from-justice charge.
It was not known how long Choate or the Grovers lived in Ahwatukee Foothills.
Police say agents also found evidence suggesting that the Grovers helped their son obtain false identification.
The mother "has been most uncooperative" with the FBI over the years, according to Phoenix police Sgt. Dave Norton.
She consistently told federal agents that she didn't know her son's location, Norton added.
In 1991, a warrant for Choate's arrest on suspicion of rape was issued in Ray County, Mo. Another warrant was issued in Riley County, Kan., where he is believed to have written a fraudulent check.
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