Webloggin » Tinley Park Murder Investigation Update - Investigators Race to Identify Offender

Update: The rumor of the Gas City video turned out to be nothing more than that, just a rumor. The police have released a sketch of the suspect. The image to the left is how it appeared on America’s Most Wanted. The murderer is still at large.

I am writing a follow-up on the investigation. As many of you know a sick maniac murdered 5 young people execution style at a strip mall in the small south suburban town of Tinley Park, Illinois. He attempted to murder a sixth person who survived by the will of God. She moved her head at the same moment he pulled the trigger and the bullet hit her neck but did not cause any critical injuries.

She attributes being alive today to her Christian faith.

It has been widely reported that the Lane Bryant where the murders occurred did not have video surveillance cameras. Investigators have thus turned to other businesses in the area searching for video that may help identify the murderer. I received an anonymous tip this evening that police may have acquired an image of the offender from video surveillance captured at a local area Gas City. In addition to video surveillance investigators may also have a lead from credit or debit card information used in the purchase of items at the gas station. If true this could be a tremendous break in the crime.

Rumors tend to move pretty quickly in small towns such as Tinley. Seeing that the tip is completely unsubstantiated I decided to contact the Tinley Park police department. I spoke to the dispatcher who put me through to a woman working with the investigation but neither person had any information pertaining to what I had been told.

I personally hope they have an image and a credit card trail; this person needs to be taken off the streets as soon as possible.

The Tinley Park Police Department has been very good in keeping the residents of the area informed. They have a press conference every morning at 11:00 a.m.

In this morning’s press conference the investigators released an updated description of the offender along with a confirmation that the offender made sexual advances toward one of the victims but did not molest any of them.

Firstly, we can now confirm reports that one of the victims was the target of sexual advances by the offender, in that she was fondled. There was no further sexual contact beyond that.

Secondly, a clearer picture of the offender is coming to light. He is now described as having 3 to 5 “puffy” corn rows that go back from the front of his head, with one strand with green beads hanging over his right cheek. He is also described as being large framed, with weight proportionate to his height. Some reports have erroneously indicated the subject wore a red jacket. That information is incorrect. The subject wore a black jacket, as was indicated in the initial descriptions. I would like to stress, this description is what the offender looked like at the time of the crime on Saturday morning.

We continue to investigate a large number of leads in this case. We continue to request the public to call the Tip Hotline at 708-444-5394 with any possible information they may have, regardless of how trivial it may at first seem.

The surviving victim has also released a statement.

“On Saturday, February second, an unspeakable tragedy occurred and five of the bravest women I have ever met were senselessly murdered and taken from their families. My deepest sympathies and condolences go out to their families and friends. Please know that during the unfathomable events of that day, their thoughts were focused on you and coming home. My heart aches that they were unable to do so, and I am working with the authorities in any way possible for all of the victims. I ask that the media please respect all of our families and allow us to grieve and cope privately with the horrific crime that ripped our worlds apart. I also ask that everyone respect that neither I nor my family can discuss the horrible events of that day. I thank everybody who has expressed concern and ask that any person who can assist in the investigation contact the authorities immediately”.

Sympathy and warm wishes are pouring out from the community. This is a terrible tragedy. Please keep an eye out to help the police get this person off the street before harm comes to anyone else.

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