US Marshals Holding Main Suspect In Bloomfield Township Man's Murder
BLOOMFIELD TWP. (WWJ) - The main suspect in the murder of a 77-year-old Bloomfield Township man is now in the custody of the U.S. Marshal's Office.
The man, whose name has not yet been released, was arrested over the weekend after police found him in possession of stolen property from the condo where William Whitelaw was found dead. He has been described as a handyman who apparently knew Whitelaw and had been to his home in the past, according to reports.
The suspect, who was turned over to the U.S. Marshal's Office on Wednesday, is being held on unrelated charges and has not yet been charged with Whitelaw's murder.
Whitelaw was found dead last Thursday at the Knollwood Pointe Condos in the 6000 block of Maple Hills Drive, near Inkster and West Maple roads in Bloomfield Township. His son discovered his body.
Investigators say the condo where Whitelaw's body was found contained lit candles and had the gas turned on -- in an apparent attempt to possibly start a fire to cover up the killing. The cause of death has been ruled a homicide by the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office.
Two other people who were arrested along with the handyman, both described as persons of interest, have since been released from police custody.
The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call police at 248-433-7767.