A SEX offender used a sick trick to enter a kindhearted elderly couple’s home before allegedly torturing and brutally killing them.
The manhunt continues for “armed and dangerous” Jamel McGriff after the slaying of a New York City couple in their 70s.
Jamel McGriff was seen on CCTV approaching random Queens’ homes and asking for help – before he allegedly brutally tortured and killed Frank and Maureen Olton[/caption]
A ‘no not approach’ warning has been issued to the public as police continue searching for the alleged double killer Jamel McGriff[/caption]
Frank Olton, 76, and Maureen Olton, 77, were found dead at around 3:30 p.m. on Monday.
The couple’s son, a fire department EMT, called 911 after being alerted to the fire by the Oltons’ alarm monitoring service.
Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch warned on Tuesday, “NYPD is searching for the suspect in a horrific double homicide, robbery and arson that occurred on Monday morning.
“The person responsible for this crime should be considered armed and dangerous.”
She said that Frank had been tied to a pole and stabbed, and Maureen’s body was discovered severely burned as their home went up in flames.
Jamel McGriff’s parole officer identified him as a suspect from surveillance video images obtained near their Queens home, Tisch said.
He was last seen on video early on Tuesday pawning two cellphones in the Bronx.
The commissioner added, “For the public, the message is clear: the suspect’s MO is to go door-to-door asking for some kind of assistance until he can gain entry.
“So do not allow anyone you do not know or who you are not expecting into your home.”
Video from the Bellerose neighborhood of Queens on Monday at about 10 am showed the alleged killer approach a home and speak to an occupant.
TRICKED HIS WAY IN
Tisch said, “Witnesses state that 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.
“At this first house, the suspect is denied entry.
“He then proceeds on foot to a second house, the incident location… at that house, video shows the suspect interact with the male victim, and it appears the suspect was allowed into the back yard.
“At approximately 10:18 am, the suspect and male victim are seen entering the rear door of the residence.
The alleged killer was seen lurking outside homes in Queens[/caption]
Elderly couple Frank and Maureen Olton were found dead on Monday, minutes after CCTV showed suspect Jamel McGriff walking near their home[/caption]
“The suspect is next seen on video exiting the house five hours later at approximately 3:08 pm and walking eastbound on 87th Drive.
“After about 14 minutes after (he) was seen on video leaving the residence, the fire department responded to the location after being notified of a fire there by a member of the victims’ family.
“Once the flames were under control, two victims were found deceased inside the home.
“Mr. Olton was found in the basement tied to a pole, with multiple stab wounds. Mrs Olton was found on the first floor, severely burned.”
Their exact causes of death are still under investigation, she said.
“At this time, there is no known connection between Mr. McGriff, our suspect, and our victims beyond this chance encounter,” Tisch added.
He exited the victims’ home carrying two bags, she said, adding that officials are working “around the clock” to locate him.
ROBBER
McGriff has a, “lengthy violent criminal history stretching back 30 years, including multiple robberies,” the commissioner explained at a press conference.
“He is currently out on parole for a first degree robbery he committed in 2006 after serving more than 16 years.
“He then failed to register as a sex offender in November of 2024, which should have violated his parole.
“And he is also wanted by the NYPD for two other recent robberies committed in Manhattan.”
One robbery took place at a Harlem GameStop store in July and another at a Manhattan Verizon store where the clerk noticed he had a fake gun and fought him off.
In a further update today, Tisch confirmed that the urgent search continues for the alleged double killer.
ARMED
She shared on social media, “Jamel McGriff is wanted for a horrific double homicide in Queens.
“He should be considered armed and dangerous. Do not approach him if you see him, call 911 immediately.
“He is known to knock on doors asking for some kind of assistance until he can gain entry into a home. Do not allow anyone you don’t know into your home.
“If you have any info about his whereabouts, please contact
@NYPDTips or call 800-577-TIPS.”
The plea prompted one resident to reply, “Everyone please check on your friends and neighbors and family.
“He could be hiding in someone’s house or apartment right now.”
