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A man wanted for the brutal murder of an elderly Queens couple is now in custody. Jamel McGriff, 42, was arrested on Wednesday in Times Square after police tracked him using technology. McGriff is accused of killing Frank Olton, 76, and Maureen Olton, 77, in their home on Monday.
According to ABC News, McGriff allegedly entered the couple's home under the pretense of charging his phone. Once inside, he tied Frank Olton to a pole in the basement and stabbed him, while Maureen Olton was found severely burned on the first floor. The couple's son, a paramedic, was alerted to the fire by an alarm system.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the crime as a "horrific double homicide, robbery and arson." McGriff, who has a lengthy criminal history, was on parole for a previous robbery and had failed to register as a sex offender in November 2024. The BBC reports that McGriff spent five hours in the Oltons' home before setting it ablaze and leaving with stolen items.
The New York Times notes that there is no known connection between McGriff and the victims. Surveillance footage showed McGriff leaving the scene with a duffel bag and a paper bag. Police tracked him using his credit card activity and real-time updates from a critical messaging app.
The killings have shocked the Queens neighborhood, where the Oltons were known as kind and friendly figures. Neighbors and family members expressed their disbelief and sorrow over the tragic event. The investigation is ongoing, and McGriff is expected to face multiple charges, including murder and arson.