Police in New York are searching for a convicted felon accused of torturing and killing an elderly couple in their Queens home on Monday.
Jamel McGriff, 42, is wanted in connection with the deaths of Maureen Olton, 78 and her husband, Frank Thomas Olton, 76.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, officials responded to the fire Monday afternoon and found the victims dead at the scene.
Frank Olton was found tied to a pole in the basement with a bungee cord and wire. He had numerous stabbed wounds.
Maureen Olton was found on the floor inside the home, badly burned.
FOX 5 New York reports that NYPD said McGriff should be considered “armed and dangerous.”
NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said McGriff’s criminal history spans back 30 years.
In 2006, he was convicted of robbery and spent 16 years in prison. He’s also wanted for two robberies in Manhattan and for violating his parole conditions.
In November, McGriff failed to register as a sex offender.
“He had been checking in regularly and his parole officer, actually, did a great job for us not on one, but two occasions because he also did the identification for us for the robbery that took place in the confines of the 13th Precinct, which was the Verizon store,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.
On Tuesday, security footage captures McGriff in the Bronx, pawning two watches. Footage then showed him walking in Queens, while wearing a black hat, black jacket, blue jeans, black shoes, and holding a backpack and paper bag.
The New York Times reports that McGriff walked door to door Monday, asking residents if he could charge his phone.
Security footage showed Frank Olton allowing McGriff into the backyard. Both men then went walked through a back door.
Around five hours later, at 3 p.m., the suspect was seen walking eastbound on 87th Drive.
“For the public, the message is clear,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Tuesday.“The suspect’s M.O. is to go door to door, asking for some kind of assistance until he can gain entry. So do not allow anyone you don’t know or who you are not expecting into your home.”
There is no known connection between the suspect and the Olson couple.
Anyone with information is urged to contact 911.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: NYPD]
