October 15, 2025 BELLEROSE, Queens, NY—Thirty years on the beat and I've seen some ugly things, but the case of James McGriff has a sickening twist that chills you to the bone. This isn't just a brutal home invasion; it’s a terrifying saga of torture, murder, arson, and a brazen, cold-blooded shopping spree—all financed by the credit cards of the elderly couple he allegedly slaughtered.

The Quiet Morning Massacre

Last month, in the quiet, unassuming neighborhood of Bellerose, Queens, a living nightmare began. Officials allege that James McGriff, a 42-year-old Bronx man and career criminal with a rap sheet stretching three decades, stalked the area under the guise of needing to charge his phone. His target: the home of Frank Olton, 76, and Maureen Olton, 77.

The details, as laid out by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, are among the most gruesome she’s ever encountered.

"On a Monday morning in a quiet neighborhood," Katz stated, the defendant forced his way into the Oltons' home. What followed was a terrifying five-hour ordeal.

Torture, Strangling, and a Vicious Attempt to Burn Evidence

Investigators paint a picture of calculated, sustained brutality focused on financial gain.

• Frank Olton was allegedly tied up in the basement, stabbed, and subjected to failed attempts by McGriff to force bank transfers.
• McGriff then allegedly tried to set the 76-year-old on fire to conceal the evidence, a grim attempt that thankfully failed to catch.
• Meanwhile, Maureen Olton was tied up upstairs, where McGriff allegedly strangled her to death.

Having murdered the couple and set their home ablaze before fleeing with their phones and credit cards, McGriff’s next stop wasn't to hide—it was to shop.

From Homicide to High Street: The Sinister Spending Spree

In a breathtaking display of depravity, officials allege McGriff immediately went on a spending spree, using the victims’ credit cards as if he’d simply earned a bonus.

"He went from the Oltons to Macy's and used Mr. Olton's credit cards," Katz confirmed, detailing purchases that included clothing and, unbelievably, a trip to the movies the following day. This shocking trail of financial transactions ultimately helped the NYPD close in on their suspect, leading to his arrest in Times Square on September 10.

The Suspect: A Career Criminal Unleashed

McGriff, described by police as a Level 3 Sex Offender and a career criminal, was a ticking time bomb. Released from prison in 2023 after serving 16 years for armed robbery, he was also wanted in connection with two more armed robberies this past summer.

Facing a staggering 50-count indictment—including First-Degree Murder, Second-Degree Murder, Kidnapping, Arson, and Burglary—McGriff pleaded not guilty this week. He has been remanded into custody and faces a potential sentence of life in prison if convicted.

While his defense counsel, the Legal Aid Society, urged the public to withhold judgment until all facts are presented, the horrific details of the Oltons' final hours, combined with the suspect's alleged use of their money for consumer pleasure, have already cemented this case as one of the most stomach-churning crimes Queens has seen in years.