Local News

Man Arrested Earlier Not Suspect In Mall Murders

Person Taken Into Custody Resembled Suspect Sketch

TINLEY PARK, Ill. (CBS) ― Police are setting the record straight Wednesday afternoon after several reports that a suspect was in custody in connection with the shooting deaths of five women in a Tinley Park Lane Bryant store.

A man taken into custody earlier today by law enforcement authorities is not believed to be connected to the murders at a Tinley Park clothing store, sources tell CBS 2.

Chicago Tribune and the Sun-Times News Group both reported Wednesday morning that a possible suspect had been arrested in the case. However, that person is not believed to be a suspect in the Lane Bryant murders, sources tell CBS 2.

CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay reports on new details about the investigation.

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.

But the man taken into custody overnight for parole violation does not appear to be the killer they're looking for.

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 that 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 overnight 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."

But a source close to the investigation tells CBS 2 that while the man, now being held by state corrections authorities, is likely to be questioned about the Tinley Park murders, he is not and was never considered a prime suspect, just another of the hundreds of leads pouring in.

The sketch of the killer made with the help of the sole surviving victim is still their 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 she and the four others were shot to death. A recording of that call is now being enhanced for other voices and sounds including the fatal gunshots.

Tinley Park Mayor Edward Zabrocki signed a new sister city agreement Wednesday night between that city and Nowy Sacz in Poland. What should have been a happy event, was overshadowed by tragedy.

"We kind of feel that our innocence has been violated," Zabrocki said. "Many of us, after it happened, hugged our children, our grandchildren a little bit closer."

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 50 officers hunting the killer on Tuesday unveiled 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 unveiled in Palatine.

Residents hope for closure soon.

When asked if he thought police will catch a suspect, Tinley Park resident Dominique Smith said: "They will eventually, sometime soon, because what's done in the dark comes to the light."

"I think that the clues that the survivor's been able to get; I think that more people have their eyes open and especially with details, that they're able to really locate somebody," added Tinley Park resident Melissa Murray.

A reward in excess of $50,000 has been offered for information leading to the suspect.

Also on Wednesday, an attorney representing Woolfolk's estate said a Cook County judge issued an order preserving security records from the Lane Bryant store and the strip mall where it is located, along with all investigative records from Tinley Park police, Illinois State Police and the FBI.

"It is imperative that we secure any and all records and information pertaining to this horrific killing in order to properly protect the legal rights and interest of Ms. Connie Woolfolk's minor children," attorney Michael Demetrio said in a statement.

CBS 2's Jay Levine, WBBM Newsradio 780 and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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