Benton Township Police Department says 83-year old Julius Oats, a Benton Township resident, is in custody for the suspected murder of 64-year-old Robert Lee Jones, also an area resident. Jones was apparently shot in the neck and died from the wound.
Public details are sparse, but according to police, officers were called to reports of gunfire near the 1700 block of Plimpton Avenue at about 3pm Friday afternoon (May 26) and about an hour later, they discovered Jones, deceased, with an apparent gun shot wound to his neck.
Investigators spoke with nearby witnesses who directed them toward 83-year-old Oats who was eventually apprehended and held over the holiday weekend for arraignment. In his court appearance, Oats was arraigned on an open murder charge and multiple other firearms offenses. His next court appearance is set for June 7.
The Benton Township Police Department would like to thank the public for their assistance in this investigation. They also encourage anyone walking or driving by the area on Friday afternoon who saw anything or heard anything, to please call the Benton Township Police Department.
