BELLEROSE, Queens (PIX11) — A parolee wished in reference to a double homicide in Queens on Monday has a string of violent robberies, together with one the place he was convicted of sexually assaulting a employee in a Manhattan retailer 20 years in the past, authorities stated Tuesday.
In November 2005, Jamel McGriff, 42, robbed a 34-year-old man at knifepoint on an F prepare close to the Delancey Road-Essex Road subway station in Decrease Manhattan, in line with the NYPD. McGriff took the sufferer’s $200 watch and $40 in money, police stated.
9 days later, he was armed with a knife when he stole $300 from a Manhattan enterprise close to sixteenth Road and Seventh Avenue and sexually assaulted a lady who labored within the retailer, cops stated. The 23-year-old girl was injured through the assault, in line with state information.
McGriff was arrested for the shop theft in December 2005 and stabbed an inmate at Rikers Island whereas in custody, sources stated.
He was convicted of each crimes in 2006 and served 16 years earlier than he was launched. McGriff did not register as a intercourse offender in 2024, which was a parole violation, authorities stated.
Cops stated the suspect was wished for robberies at a GameStop and Verizon over the summer time. Within the Verizon theft on Aug. 31, he allegedly compelled a employee into the again room and threatened them with a pretend gun, police stated.
Police are trying to find Jamel McGriff, 42, who they are saying has a prolonged felony historical past, together with two current robberies in Manhattan in July and August. (Credit score: NYPD)
The NYPD remains to be trying to find McGriff after authorities discovered 76-year-old Frank Olton and his 77-year-old spouse, Maureen Olton, useless of their burnt-down Bellerose house on 254th Road on Monday afternoon.
In a press convention on Tuesday, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated the suspect had been going from door to door, asking for help, claiming his cellphone battery had died.
He was initially denied entrance on the first house, so he moved to a second home, which was the Olton house. Surveillance video confirmed him talking with a person on the second home, who allowed him into the yard, police stated.
McGriff was seen getting into the rear door at round 10:18 a.m. and exiting at round 3:08 p.m. The couple was discovered useless inside the house after officers responded to the fireplace reported by a member of the family, police stated.
The Olton’s paramedic son was a part of the emergency personnel crew that responded to the scene, sources stated.
Frank Olton was discovered tied to a pole within the basement with a number of stab wounds. His spouse was discovered burned past recognition.
There isn’t a recognized connection between McGriff and the victims, police stated.
McGriff was final seen on surveillance video on Tuesday, pawning cellphones at 384 Fordham Rd. within the Bronx, police stated. He was seen carrying a black t-shirt.
Submit tricks to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers cellular app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then getting into TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are requested to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has lined information and sports activities within the NYC space for greater than a decade. She has been with PIX11 Information for 2 years. See extra of her work right here.
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