Police seek man in connection with homicide

Published 11:03 pm Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Katina Jones, 31, was found dead in her apartment building Sunday. Police are looking for Larry O’Neal, 32, who they believe was in her company that day.

Suffolk police now have warrants on file for a man they are calling a “person of interest” in the death of Katina Jones.

Larry N. O’Neal, 32, now is wanted for credit card theft, credit card fraud and obtaining money by false pretenses. He is believed to be traveling by bus to Houston, Texas, according to Suffolk spokeswoman Debbie George. He is possibly using the name Jamil Jones. Anyone who sees O’Neal or has information on his whereabouts is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency.

Jones, 31, of the 4300 block of Crowdy Boulevard off Bridge Road, was found dead Sunday, George said. Police were called about 2:30 p.m. when her daughter’s father found her in the house. An autopsy conducted Monday caused police to rule her death a homicide, but officials have declined to release the cause of death.

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Police were seeking Jones’ 2003 Toyota Echo, which was originally missing. However, Norfolk police found the car in their city Sunday night.

O’Neal lives in Texas but had been visiting Portsmouth recently, George said. O’Neal is an acquaintance of Jones who police believe was with her Sunday.

Jones’ 8-year-old daughter was with her grandparents on Sunday, George said.

On Tuesday, nobody answered the door at Jones’ apartment or those of her neighbors, but a security guard for the private development off Bridge Road said media representatives were not welcome on the property.

According to Jones’ Facebook page, she grew up in Norfolk and graduated from Portsmouth’s Churchland High School in 1997. She also lists Old Dominion University as a school she has attended. She had been working in the deli and bakery departments at the Harris Teeter in Suffolk since May 2009.

Anyone who has information is asked to call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. Callers to Crime Line never have to give their names or appear in court, and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.