Manhunt Underway for Convicted Felon Accused of Torturing Elderly Couple, Setting Them on Fire
Share this @internewscast.com

A convicted New York felon has reportedly admitted to killing an elderly couple, robbing them, and setting their house on fire.

Jamel McGriff, 42, was apprehended by police on Wednesday night, as reported by The New York Times, after 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.

On Thursday during his arraignment, McGriff faced charges including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, identity theft, arson, along with several other related offenses.

During the hearing, he remained quiet, but reportedly shook his head when his status as a registered offender was brought up by the prosecution.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stated that McGriff, who has a substantial criminal background, approached the Oltons’ home in Bellerose on Monday morning, initially seeking to charge his phone, having unsuccessfully attempted to enter other homes before reaching the Oltons’ place.

Security cameras recorded Olton telling McGriff to leave, but he allegedly forced his entry. Over the next five hours, he reportedly robbed, assaulted, and killed the pair, subsequently igniting a fire in the house.

The fire reportedly started on Olton’s chest.

McGriff exited the residence around 3 p.m. carrying a duffel bag, and by 6 p.m., he had spent nearly $800 using the couple’s stolen credit cards, utilizing his own store loyalty number, according to the prosecution.

Inside the basement, police found Frank Olton tied to a pole in the basement with a bungee cord and wire. He had numerous stabbed wounds.

His wife’s body was discovered severely burned on the house floor, with evidence of a fractured larynx. Her death resulted from asphyxiation, smoke inhalation, and strangulation.

“I’ll admit it. I killed them,” he said when police captured him, according to the complaint. “I molested them.”

Meanwhile, 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.

McGriff did not enter a plea. Judge Sharifa Nasser-Cuellar ordered him to remain behind bars without bail.

Check back for updates.

[Feature Photo via NYPD]

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Reflecting on Resilience: 30 Years Since the Port Arthur Tragedy in Australia

Australia solemnly commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Port Arthur massacre in…

Police Report: Worker Allegedly Torches Colleague in Dispute Over $100

Share An Arkansas man is facing charges after allegedly using a blowtorch…

Ex-Christian Charity Worker Dodges Jail Time Over Controversial Abuse Book, Sparking Public Outcry

The author of a controversial novel, which delves into the disturbing theme…

Teen Injured in Sydney Hit-and-Run as Off-Duty Officers Witness Incident

A startling video has surfaced capturing an alleged hit-and-run incident on Sydney’s…

Gainesville Resident Detained for Allegedly Brandishing BB Gun at Neighbors

Reported by Staff GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities have taken 24-year-old Logan Scott…

Driver Severely Injures Boy in Driveway Accident, Authorities Report

Inset: Theodore Gause (Wilmington Police Department). Background: The North Carolina driveway where…

Tragic Incident: Father Accused of Killing Infant, Mother Dies by Suicide the Following Day, Say Authorities

Inset, left to right: Molly Mckelvey and her daughter Lotus (GoFundMe), and…

Trio Nabbed in Bold Ammunition Heist at Bass Pro Shops: What You Need to Know

Report by Staff GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities have apprehended three 19-year-olds—Kouvaris Lamar…

Teens Arrested Following High-Speed Car Chase Through Sydney’s Residential Streets

In a dramatic turn of events, two teenagers were apprehended following a…

Father Fled Scene After Causing Fatal Crash That Claimed Daughter’s Life

Inset, left to right: Elliott L. Binney (Tulsa County Jail) and Shelby…

Shocking Child Neglect: Parents Force Son to Live in Car Seat, Police Report Reveals

Left to right: Jessica Blair, Joshua Foster (Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office). In…

Jeep Driver Under the Influence Strikes Toddler on Florida Beach, Authorities Report

Inset: Brock A. Winkler (Volusia County Sheriff’s Office). Background: Beer cans allegedly…