(WBBM/CBS 2) - Officials in Tinley Park are downplaying news reports about an arrest that fueled a media frenzy yesterday over the Lane Bryant murders investigation.
WBBM's Steve Miller reports.
So who was that who was arrested? And how does he figure into the murder investigation?
Tinley Park Mayor Ed Zabrocki says the U.S. Marshal's fugitive task force arrested a man on a parole violation - and thought he looked like the sketch of the Lane Bryant killer (pictured).
"This is almost akin to the situation that occurred last Sunday - the Sunday after the shootings - where there was a potential tip that we got out of South Haven... Some of the task force members were on their way to South Haven.
"They got half-way to there and found out this guy was unrelated to the situation. And we're treating this the same way."
Zabrocki says the man arrested by the U.S. Marshals was not brought down to the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force offices nor to Tinley Park police.
Chicago Tribune and the Sun-Times News Group both reported Wednesday morning that a possible suspect had been arrested in the case.
Investigators are concerned about what happened Wednesday, for several reasons. First, a leak nearly allowed reporters to beat officers to the man they wanted. Then media reports implied charges might be imminent.
It was one of literally hundreds of tips which have come into the task force investigating the murders, only this one came from another law enforcement agency and it looked promising.
After those reports surfaced, the Tinley Park Police Department said the information was incorrect. "No one has been arrested, nor do we have suspects at this time," said Tinley Park police Cmdr. Rick Bruno. "Due to the fact false information could discourage persons from calling our hotline, we are encouraging people to call in with any information they have."
People are still coming to Brookside Marketplace, adding to the memorial to the victims of the man who continues to elude authorities. The arrest followed a briefing by the South Suburban Major Crimes taskforce for other law enforcement agencies, asking for their help.
The possible lead identified a Chicago man who fit the description of the killer, was a convicted felon and current parole violator.
The task force confirmed Wednesday that "The U.S. Marshal's service picked up an individual on an unrelated warrant. ... We consider the information a lead and treat it as we treat all other leads."
The sketch of the killer made with the help of the sole surviving victim is still investigators' best hope. Authorities may soon release more information she's been able to give them after being debriefed by experts. The sketch and description have already brought in more than 500 tips that 50 suburban officers detailed to the task force full-time are investigating.
Other evidence could come from the 911 call made by store manager Rhoda McFarland before the murders. A recording of that call is now being enhanced for other voices and sounds including the fatal gunshots.
Five women were killed in the Feb. 2 massacre at the Bryant store in the Brookside Marketplace shopping center at 191st Street and Harlem Avenue. They were McFarland, 42, of Joliet; Carrie H. Chiuso, 33, of Frankfort; Connie R. Woolfolk, 37, of Flossmoor; Sarah T. Szafranski, 22, of Oak Forest; and Jennifer L. Bishop, 34, of South Bend, Ind. The gunman also injured a sixth woman and then made his escape.
The team of officers hunting the killer are now using electronic roadside billboards showing an artist's impression of his face, urging new witnesses to come forward and continue to chase down tips. They are being placed in high-traffic areas across the suburbs, including East Hazel Crest, Crestwood, Hodgkins, Maywood, Northlake and Addison. A billboard will also soon be in place in Palatine.
A reward in excess of $50,000 has been offered for information leading to the suspect.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
