New York City police on Wednesday released fresh images of a man they say is wanted in connection with the torture, killing and arson that claimed the lives of an elderly Queens couple after the suspect allegedly used a ruse to gain entry to their home.
The victims were identified by the NYPD as 76-year-old Frank Olton and his 77-year-old wife, Maureen Olton. Police said the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Jamel McGriff, approached homes in the neighborhood and used a distraction technique — asking to come inside to charge a cellphone — before entering the Oltons' property.
According to the NYPD, surveillance footage shows McGriff approaching a residence at about 10 a.m. and asking to be allowed inside to charge his phone; the resident declined. The footage then shows McGriff walking to the Oltons' home, where Frank Olton initially let him into the backyard and was later seen entering the house with the suspect. McGriff was captured on video exiting the house at about 3 p.m., approximately five hours after he arrived, carrying two bags and walking eastbound on 87th Drive.
Shortly after the suspect left, the Oltons' son, an active-duty FDNY EMT, received a security alert that his parents' home was on fire and called 911, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a briefing. Firefighters brought the flames under control and personnel searching the residence found both victims deceased. Tisch said Frank Olton was discovered in the basement tied to a pole and suffering multiple stab wounds; Maureen Olton was found on the first floor severely burned.
"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," Tisch said. She described the suspect's approach as a form of distraction robbery, advising residents not to allow unexpected or unfamiliar visitors into their homes.
The NYPD has characterized McGriff as armed and dangerous and is urging anyone with information to contact the department. Authorities said McGriff has a long criminal history, including a 16-year sentence related to a 2006 robbery conviction, and that he was out on parole. Police also said he is wanted in connection with two recent robberies — one at a Harlem GameStop in July and another at a Manhattan Verizon store, where a clerk resisted an attempted theft after noticing what appeared to be a fake gun.
Law enforcement officials said McGriff failed to register as a sex offender last year, a violation of parole conditions. Investigators reported that McGriff was last seen pawning two cellphones in the Bronx on Tuesday and was captured on camera walking in Queens wearing a black hat, black jacket, blue jeans and black sneakers while carrying a backpack and a paper bag.
The NYPD asked anyone with information to call the department's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, to submit tips online at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or to message the department on X @NYPDTips. Authorities stressed the importance of not approaching the suspect if he is seen.
The double-homicide and subsequent arson prompted an intensive search by local detectives and homicide investigators. Police have not disclosed a motive beyond the actions observed on surveillance video and the injuries documented at the scene.
The investigation remains active. The NYPD and Fire Department personnel continue to process the scene and pursue leads supplied by surveillance footage and community tips as the manhunt continues.