The man allegedly responsible for brutally murdering a senior couple in Queens and setting them ablaze on Monday was charged with a staggering 16 counts of murder and went on an unhinged rant at his perp walk on Thursday.
Police sources said 42-year-old Jamel McGriff, who stayed in a Bronx homeless shelter, faces array of murder charges that stemmed from the horrendous slaying of both Frank and Maureen Olton, including murder in the first degree, murder in the first degree with multiple victims, and murder with intention that, when tallied together, comes to 16 charges.
Cops also hit McGriff with additional charges including three counts of robbery, five counts of burglary, two counts of grand larceny, four counts of kidnapping, two counts of arson, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, three counts of identity theft, and four counts of criminal possession of stolen property.
On Thursday afternoon, detectives escorted McGriff out of the 107th Precinct stationhouse in Fresh Meadows; he wore a police-issued Tyvek suit and handcuffs as he was led out.
His perp walk took an unexpected turn when he blurred out, “They raped me. They are child molesters!”
NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch previously reported that there was no known prior connection between McGriff and the Oltons.
The top cop announced the arrest on Wednesday, writing on X that McGriff had been apprehended in Midtown Manhattan after being spotted by officers in the area.
“Jamel McGriff was taken into custody a short time ago by the NYPD. He was spotted in Midtown Manhattan by eagle-eyed cops who didn’t hesitate before jumping into action,” Tisch wrote.
Police sources say cops were able to track his movement using a department app known as the domain awareness system after it pinged that he had used the victims’ credit cards. He was arrested in Times Square around 5:40 p.m. on 44th Street and 7th Avenue.
A citywide manhunt had been underway for McGriff since Tuesday, a day after he allegedly knocked on the door to the Bellerose, Queens home of the Oltons on 254th Street at around 3:20 p.m. on Sept. 8 and asked to charge his phone. New video evidence shows that McGriff forced his way inside.
“Get the f**ck out of here,” Frank Olton could be heard on video telling McGriff.
The 76-year-old husband was later found tied to a support beam in the basement with a bungee cord, while his wife was discovered severely burned on the first floor.
The Oltons’ son, who works as a New York City paramedic, rushed to the scene after a fire alarm in the home notified him. He then contacted law enforcement.
Paramedics also gathered outside of the 107th Precinct out of respect for the family.
Police tied McGriff to the killing after obtaining surveillance camera footage from the scene; his parole officer had made the positive identification, sources familiar with the case said.
On Tuesday, Tisch noted that McGriff had been out on parole for a first-degree robbery conviction dating back to 2006.
“After serving more than 16 years on that conviction, he then failed to register as a sex offender in November of 2024, which should have violated his parole,” the commissioner added. “He is also wanted by the NYPD for two other recent robberies committed in Manhattan.”
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny reported that in July, McGriff allegedly robbed a GameStop, located at 125th Street and Lenox Avenue, at gunpoint. And then, on Aug 31, he reportedly used a fake gun to try to rob a Verizon store on West 18 Street and 6 Avenue.
“He asked to see some merchandise. He forced the employee into the back room and announced a robbery at gunpoint. This employee noticed that the firearm appeared to be fake, and fought the perpetrator,” Kenny said.
Just before the attack on the Oltons, McGriff visited a nearby home in Bellerose asking to charge his phone, but was turned away.
Police believe the shocking crime was motivated by robbery. He was caught on surveillance video on Monday pawning two cellphones in the Bronx.
