Police: Man Arrested In Kansas Possibly Connected To Murders Of 4 Tulsa Women

Tulsa Police said a person with a possible connection to the murders of four women in Tulsa has been arrested in Independence, Kansas.

Just six hours after police released Joseph Tillmon's picture to the media, he was taken into custody.

Homicide detectives are quick to say Tillmon is not a person of interest, nor a suspect, but he is a man who had a relationship with one of the victims. They said Tillmon had, at some time, been inside the apartment where Rebeika Powell, 23; Kayetie Powell-Melchor, 23; Misty Nunley, 33, and Julie Jackson, 55, were found shot dead. They said Tilllmon may know something about the circumstances that led to the murders.

1/8/2013 Related Story: Tulsa Police ID Four Women Killed Monday

Police said Tuesday that Tillmon is known to hang around the area of 61st and Peoria Avenue, near the apartments where

They said he knew cops were looking for him, but skipped out anyway.

Detectives said Joseph Tillmon abandoned his motel room and his buddy's place though he knew officers were looking for him, and headed toward Nowata, where he has family and was eventually stopped and arrested on a current warrant in Kansas.

They said, had Tillmon's picture not been put out to the media, there's no telling where he'd be now.

Still, they said it's way too early to know what, if any involvement he had in the murders of the four women who were tied up and shot to death on Monday.

"I think everybody wants him to be a person of interest, everybody wants him to be the killer. We're not ready at all to say that. We will say he has knowledge of the victims," said Sgt. Dave Walker.

They said they need his statement to fit the pieces of this puzzle together and, for some reason, he's been avoiding that.

1/9/2012 Related Story: Detectives Seek Man Wanted For Assault As Person Of Interest In Quadruple Murder

Detectives have interviewed more than 30 people, but still feel there is something they're missing.

"Our task force is bringing in a lot of folks—some willingly, some not so willingly, and some kicking and screaming," Walker said.

He said his detectives need to get some sleep and sit down and compare notes and see what they know and what they don't and where to go next. They've been working around the clock, thanks to eight murders in the first eight days of the year.

He doesn't believe this murderous streak will continue and they will solve these cases.

"I think we're making headway. I don't think we will get the quick solve everybody wants, but I don't get the feeling we're not going to solve this, either," Walker said.

Detectives say, until they solve this case and get the answers they need, they are going to be in everyone's business at Fairmont Terrace, that the entire community will be under a microscope.

They say the sooner someone comes forward, the sooner things can get back to normal there.

Anyone with information can call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS.