Guilty: Two-Time Murderer Strangled Elderly Man With Phone Cord

CRETE, IL — After nearly two years at large — including a brief period on the run — and three years behind bars, a former fugitive was convicted Tuesday in the 2014 beating and strangulation murder of an 85-year-old man in Crete Township. Jesus A. Larosa, 50, was found guilty Tuesday in the murder of Alfred Hilton. Hilton was found severely beaten and strangled with a telephone cord in the kitchen of his own home on May 14, 2014.

It's the second murder conviction for Larosa, who served 20 years and was on parole for a previous murder when he killed Hilton. This time, he faces a mandatory life sentence.

Hilton was found dead after he missed a church event and deputies were dispatched to his home in the 3200 block of East Bemes Road. The house had been ransacked and two televisions and a BB gun were stolen.

"Will County Sheriff’s detectives worked diligently on the case for 15 months, following hundreds of tips and leads," Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow's office said in a statement Tuesday. "In March 2016, a tip came in which enabled sheriff’s detectives to identify Larosa as a new suspect."

After a warrant was issued for his arrest, Larosa fled to Alabama, sparking a multi-state manhunt spearheaded by sheriff's detectives. It was not clear how or when Larosa headed from Alabama to Texas, but police said they searched for him in both states, as well as Georgia.

Larosa was apprehended April 6, 2016, in the parking lot of a Dallas Walmart and extradited to Joliet, where he's been at the Will County jail ever since.

A jury deliberated for four and a half hours before finding Larosa guilty of three counts of first-degree murder on Tuesday. Sentencing is scheduled for May 17.

“Jesus Larosa is a ruthless killer who savagely beat and strangled the life out of a defenseless senior citizen after already serving his prison sentence for committing a previous murder,” Glasgow said in a statement. “The guilty verdict here ensures that this twice-convicted murderer driven by an abandoned and malignant heart will spend the rest of his days in a cold, dark prison cell.”

Glasgow credited Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley and the sheriff’s detectives in the Investigation Division for the dedicated and diligent investigation that enabled prosecutors to obtain a guilty verdict. In a press release, Glasgow mentioned Dan Jungles, supervisor in charge of the investigation, lead investigator Jeff Brozik, second investigator Dan Procaroine, and investigators Jim Jones and Tom Omiecinski. Glasgow also praised Assistant State’s Attorneys Deborah Mills, Britt Florin, and Marie Griffin for securing the verdict, and thanked Gus Martinucci for the technical support he provided the team.

Sheriff’s detectives also extend their appreciation to the Hilton family who, although faced with the senseless murder of their father, consistently extended their support and patience during the entire investigation. "It is hoped that the conviction of this individual can bring some solace and a new sense of peace from this tragic incident," a statement from Glasgow and Kelley said.

According to the Illinois State Police Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth registry, Larosa was convicted of a 1992 Cook County murder. At the time of the killing, Larosa was 23 and the victim was 20.