Overview

• Jamel McGriff, 42, was arraigned in Queens overnight and ordered held without bail following his Wednesday arrest in Times Square.
• He faces multiple charges including first-degree murder, arson, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, identity theft and related counts, with outlets reporting differing totals for the murder charges.
• Detectives say he posed as someone needing to charge a phone, spent about five hours inside the Bellerose home, and the FDNY later determined the fire was set intentionally.
• New analysis of surveillance video indicates he forced his way inside after being told to wait by the gate, with audio capturing the victim telling him to leave.
• Police say they tracked him through the victims’ credit cards and video, including a Macy’s purchase tied to his own rewards account and a Union Square movie screening, and note his long record, parole status and recent robbery investigations.