A New York City couple in their 70s was killed in their home in a horrific double homicide, robbery and arson, authorities said, with the man found bound to a pole in the basement and stabbed multiple times while his wife was discovered on the first floor with severe burns.
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Frank Olton, 76, and his wife, Maureen Olton, 77, were found dead Monday around 3:30 p.m. in their two-story home on 254th Street in Bellerose, a quiet residential neighborhood in Queens near the Nassau County border. The fire was reported by their younger son, an emergency medical technician who received an alert from the home's security system.
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Surveillance video showed a man later identified as Jamel McGriff, 42, approaching the home around 10:18 a.m. after being turned away from a neighbor's door where he asked to charge his phone. Frank Olton spoke with the man outside before allowing him into the backyard and then the house through a rear door. Investigators believe the suspect spent about five hours inside before stabbing Frank Olton, tying him to a basement pole with bungee cords, killing Maureen Olton and setting the house ablaze.
McGriff, who has a lengthy criminal record, was arrested Wednesday evening and taken to the 107th Precinct in Queens for questioning. Charges were pending as of Thursday.
Police Arrest Suspect in Death of Queens Couple in Burning House - The New York Times
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Disturbing details in case of NYC house torched after couple killed by career criminal: NYPD - NBC New York
Suspect in custody after couple severely burned in 'horrific double homicide' in NYC: Police - ABC News
Manhunt for suspect who allegedly set house fire that killed 2 in Bellerose, Queens - ABC7 New York
Jamel McGriff suspect in custody after allegedly torturing and killing senior couple in Bellerose, Queens - ABC7 New York
NYPD: Suspect in killings of Queens couple taken into custody - Newsday
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