Man Who Killed NYC Couple, Torched Home Will Face Slew Of Charges: Police

NEW YORK CITY — The suspect accused of killing an elderly couple and setting their Queens house on fire has been charged with murder, police announced on Thursday.

Jamel McGriff, 42, was taken into custody by police in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

McGriff has also been charged with arson, robbery, burglary, grand larceny, kidnapping, criminal possession of a weapon, identity theft, and criminal possession of stolen property.

The 42-year-old is expected to be arraigned Thursday evening. McGriff is a career criminal and convicted sex offender who was considered armed and dangerous.

On Monday, McGriff reportedly approached at least two other homes in the neighborhood saying his phone was dead, and that he needed a charger. When he was denied entry, McGriff proceeded to go to the home of 76-year-old Frank Olton and 77-year-old Maureen Olton.

Police told reporters that there is video of McGriff going in the back door of the home. The suspect was inside the house for around five hours before leaving with two bags.

McGriff was seen on Tuesday trying to pawn two cellphones at a shop on Fordham Road in the Bronx, according to an NBC 4 New York report.
According to police, the two victims were killed before their home was set on fire.

The 76-year-old man was found tied to a pole in his basement and had suffered multiple stab wounds. His wife was found severely burned on the first floor of the house.

An investigation remains ongoing.