Suspect In 91-Year-Old Detroit Man's Murder Turns Self In
DETROIT (WWJ ) - A suspect wanted in connection with the murder of an elderly man, who was found dead inside his burning home in northwest Detroit, has turned himself in to police.
Detroit police have called a Tuesday morning news conference to talk about the latest development in the investigation of Paul Monchnik's death.
Earlier Tuesday, police raided a home right next door to where Monchnik was found dead. Four people, described as the suspect's relatives, were taken away from the scene for questioning. The suspect was not at the house at the time of the raid, police said.
According to police, Monchnik was beaten during a robbery inside his home Monday. To cover up the crime, police said the suspect went to a nearby gas station before returning to Monchnik's home with a gas can and setting it on fire. The suspect also stole Monchnik's van, police said.
Monchnik's vehicle has since been recovered, with a gas can inside, according to police. It appears the vehicle was the only thing stolen from the residence.
In an attempt to identify the suspect, investigators released surveillance video that showed him at a gas station around the time of the murder. He was wearing a red or orange skull cap, a gray hoodie and Michigan basketball pants.
Lewis Calvin, who described himself as the suspect's relative, said the whole situation has left him baffled.
"You wouldn't expect it, you know, he's — look, if my great-nephew is [who] they're looking for, he's a good kid. I just can't believe it if that's who they're looking for," Calvin told WWJ's Mike Campbell, getting emotional. "We kept saying, it looks like somebody in the neighborhood, but that name never popped in my head because he's supposed to be at Romulus High School playing basketball, going to class like all his siblings."
An investigation is ongoing.
Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 and CBSDetroit.com for the latest.
