What to KnowAuthorities say a paroled intercourse offender and profession prison killed a Queens couple, then set their residence on fireplace and robbed them; he is within the wind, and regarded to be armed and dangerousNeighbors reported seeing the suspect across the neighborhood not too long ago, and police stated McGriff had approached no less than two houses, saying he was having cellphone points and wanted assist.Maureen Olton, 77, was the one who ended up letting him in. She and her husband, Frank, have been each murdered, him discovered tied up and stabbed within the basement, her discovered burned on the primary flooring
The manhunt for a 42-year-old parolee who allegedly killed a Queens couple and set their residence on fireplace after pretending to be a stranger in want of assist intensified Wednesday, a day after prime NYPD officers detailed chilling developments within the investigation.
Not solely have been Frank and Maureen Olton killed by a profession prison and convicted intercourse offender, police say, they could have been tortured as nicely. The 76-year-old husband was discovered stabbed and tied up within the basement of the scorched 254th Avenue residence he and his spouse, 77, had lived in for many years. She was discovered on the primary flooring with extreme burns, in keeping with three regulation enforcement sources with data of the investigation.
The NYPD recognized the suspected assassin and arsonist as 42-year-old Jamel McGriff, who sources stated has been recognized to detectives, however is believed to have been a stranger to the couple. He is thought-about armed and harmful, and anybody who would possibly encounter him is suggested to not method him however to name 911.
It’s believed that each victims have been killed earlier than their residence was torched. Hearth marshals decided the reason for the fireplace to be incendiary, however no additional particulars have been launched relating to the way it was began.
Detectives stated McGriff schemed his method into the Oltons’ residence on Monday. Neighbors reported seeing the suspect across the neighborhood not too long ago, and police stated McGriff had approached no less than two houses, saying he was having cellphone points and wanted assist.
“The suspect claimed that he needed assistance, that his phone battery was dead and he was asking if he could enter the house to charge his phone,” stated NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “At the first house, the suspect is denied entry. He then proceeds to a second incident location.”
The Oltons apparently purchased his story and let him into their yard. There may be video of McGriff going within the again door of the house and he was inside for about 5 hours, in keeping with detectives, earlier than a digicam captured him leaving with two baggage. Police consider he could have set the fireplace to attempt to cowl up the killings.
McGriff was final seen early Tuesday making an attempt to pawn two cellphones at a store on Fordham Street within the Bronx. He was carrying a black hat, black jacket, blue denims and black sneakers. Officers launched a photograph of him (under), and have footage of him within the Bellerose neighborhood as nicely.
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Police have been nonetheless searching for McGriff Tuesday evening. He was out on parole after spending 16 years behind bars for first-degree theft and has a prolonged prison historical past courting again 30 years that features a number of robberies.
The NYPD added that he did not register as a intercourse offender in Nov. 2024 and is needed for 2 current robberies in Manhattan. McGriff allegedly robbed a Sport Cease retailer in July after which tried to rob a Verizon retailer close to Union Sq. on Aug. 31 till an worker realized McGiff had a faux gun and fought him off.
Police don’t suppose McGriff knew the Oltons earlier than Monday, as Commissioner Tisch stated “there is no known contact beyond this chance encounter.” Tisch added that McGriff “should be considered armed and dangerous.”
Anybody with info is requested to name Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
