Sources: Police recover murdered couple's SUV

Police have found the SUV stolen after a Lansingburgh couple was brutally beaten to death on Aug. 19.

Details are scant, but sources did confirm police have recovered the blue 2013 Ford Escape SUV owned by Al and Maria Lockrow.

Where it was located and the condition it was found is unclear. Also unclear is if finding the vehicle assisted investigators identify and/or locate the suspects.

The couple was found beaten inside their 709 First Ave. home when police responded to what they thought was a routine domestic call shortly after 2 a.m.. Witnesses claim they saw two men walking away from the home carrying something that looked like a baseball bat.

Al Lockrow was pronounced dead on the scene. Maria Lockrow later died of her injuries.

Police have questioned Thaddeus Pietrak, Maria Lockrow’s brother who was arrested in 2005 for allegedly trying to kill their mother and again in 2012 for assaulting Maria. They also twice questioned a clerk at the Lansingburgh OTB where Al Lockrow was a regular. Kyle Kilgallon was considered a person of interest.

More information as it becomes available.  

 

Second person of interest in 'Burgh double homicide

Some six hours after a brutal double homicide, police questioned the brother of one of the two Lansingburgh victims but found no evidence to pursue the inquiry.

Now, police consider Kyle Kilgallon a person of interest, according to sources close to the investigation. Kilgallon, 57, grew up in Lansingburgh and in recent years has split his time between his hometown and Florida. Longtime residents of Lansingburgh have seen him around town as of late and he is known to frequent the OTB parlor on Second Avenue.

Police are investigating the murder of Allen and Maria Lockrow, who were found brutally beaten to death inside their 709 First Ave. home early Wednesday morning.

According to other sources, Allen Lockrow, who liked to play the horses, hit a race worth a substantial amount of money. However, according to sources, he did not cash the OTB ticket.

2001 mug shot of KYLE KILGALLON
from Charlotte, Florida 

One theory is that he hung onto the ticket because he was looking for a way to avoid paying taxes New York state demands on larger winnings. Any payout that is 600 to 1 or more - for example if you bet $1 and win more than $600 - requires the winner to fill out a form applying it to the person’s taxable income. Lockrow was looking for someone who made less than he and his wife – or someone on Social Security or disability - to cash the ticket who may not have to pay any taxes on the winnings.

It's unclear if the winning ticket was left at the scene or if it was stolen.

Police believe the murderer or murderers fled the scene in the Lockrow’s 2013 blue Ford Escape.

Kilgallon is a longtime, well respected family name in ‘The Burgh.

Kyle Kilgallon was arrested in Florida 13 years ago for “domestic battery” and violating an order of protection, both misdemeanors.

Thaddeus Pietrak, Maria Lockrow’s brother, was questioned shortly after the murders. He told the Times Union Kilgallon had a $600 ticket from OTB and criticized police for questioning him about the murders he knew nothing about.

"I got angry with them and asked for an apology," Pietrak said. "They taped the whole thing. On my way out one of the detectives did apologize and say he was sorry for what happened to my sister."

Maria Lockrow had an 2012 order of protection against Pietrak, according to the Times Union, and was arrested for attempted murder in North Greenbush for allegations he tried to strangle his mother, twice.

(UPDATED) 'Burgh murder victim's brother has history of violence

Police believe the double homicide in Lansingburgh was not a random act of violence. Rather, investigators think at least one of the two perpetrators knew the victims and were there for a specific purpose.

While talking to a number of people who knew Allen and Maria Lockrow, one name was mentioned again and again – Thaddeus Pietrak, Maria Lockrow’s brother. Police would not comment on the specifics of the investigation.

In 2005, according to a broadcast at that time by what was then YNN, Pietrak was arrested by North Greenbush Police for trying to kill his mother, Julia Pietrak … twice.

According to the television news station, Pietrak, then 46 years old, tried to choke his mother, who died in 2011 at the age of 89. He prevented her from calling for help and attacked another family member who tried to assist the mother. Both victims were treated at a local hospital. Julia Pietrak died in 2011.

A source close to the Lockrow family said the family member Thaddeus Pietrak was arrested for assaulting in 2005 was Maria Lockrow.

Pietrak, who's last known public address was in Rensselaer, was charged with attempted murder, assault, unlawful imprisonment and harassment.

There is no record of him doing any hard time on the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision website but the charges could have been substantially reduced depending on the level of cooperation by the mother and the other unnamed family member. The disposition of the case is not known at this time. 

Wednesday at 2 a.m., Police said they were answering a call at 709 First Ave. and found the door kicked in and the Lockrows beaten with what is believed to be a baseball bat. Allen Lockrow was pronounced dead at the scene, and Maria died on the way to the hospital as a direct result of her injuries.

The two men allegedly stole the couple's blue 2013 Ford Escape and are still at large.

Allen Lockrow was a longtime employee of the Troy Parks and Recreation Department while Maria was employed as a nurse for Rensselaer County.