A man suspected of torturing and killing an elderly couple in their Queens home earlier this week has been captured.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the capture of Jamel McGriff, aged 42, on Wednesday after sharp-eyed officers noticed him in Midtown Manhattan and arrested him.
UPDATE: Jamel McGriff was taken into custody a short time ago by the NYPD.
He was spotted in Midtown Manhattan by eagle-eyed cops who didn’t hesitate before jumping into action.
Thank you to the best detectives and the best cops in the world for their work tracking and… https://t.co/dS7F8iBRIp
— Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) September 10, 2025
McGriff was sought in connection with the deaths of Mauteen Olton, 78, and Frank Thomas Olton, 76. The couple was discovered deceased following a fire at their residence on Monday, as detailed by CrimeOnline. Frank Olton was found restrained to a pole in the basement with a bungee cord and wire and had suffered several stab wounds.
His wife was found on the floor inside the home, badly burned.
Commissioner Tisch noted that McGriff’s criminal record spans 30 years. He was found guilty of robbery in 2006, serving 16 years in prison, and was additionally wanted for two more robberies in Manhattan, alongside violating his parole terms.
In November, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said, he failed to register as a sex offender.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny commended the parole officer for identifying McGriff, saying, “He had been reporting consistently, and the parole officer notably assisted us not once, but twice, including recognizing him for a robbery at the 13th Precinct’s Verizon store.”
Witnesses said McGriff knocked on several doors on Monday asking if he could charge his phone.
Other security footage showed Frank Olton letting McGriff into his back yard, and then they were both seen entering the back door.
Around five hours later, surveillance footage captured McGriff walking along the street dressed in a black hat, black jacket, jeans, and black shoes, carrying a backpack and a paper bag.
On Tuesday, he was seen on camera in the Bronx, pawning two cell phones.
Authorities stated there was no confirmed link between McGriff and the Olton couple, but New York Post sources revealed that McGriff used the Oltons’ credit cards at Macy’s and the Regal Cinema in Times Square on that same Wednesday.
Charges against the suspect are pending.
