Stolen Cars Driven by Alleged Murder Suspect Recovered

Jan. 7, the night Destynee Burkes was murdered at the 34th Street La Quinta Inn, Burkes came to the motel in a newer model Chrysler 200. A week later, Tieyannie Hollis was shot at the Mariners Pointe Apartments. The suspect drove a green Toyota Camry. 

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, both of those cars were driven by 25-year-old Jamaal Jenkins. Both cars have now been found and Jenkins is still at-large. 

Wednesday, Jan. 23, the Chrysler 200 was recovered in Orange County. Detectives said on Jan. 18, they learned the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office had located the green Toyota Camry in a wooded area. 

The vehicle had been burned.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Jenkins took the Chrysler from the motel after allegedly murdering Burkes, 24, and drove into the Orlando area, where the vehicle tags was exchanged.

At some point, investigators said Jenkins acquired the stolen Toyota Camry. Authorities said the Camry is the vehicle Jenkins drove when he allegedly murdered Hollis, 31. 

Detectives said the Camry had been stolen from an apartment complex that was about four miles from where the Chrysler was located on Jan. 23 in Orange County.  

(Backstory: Jenkins, Hollis and Burkes involved in deadly love triangle). 

The burned Camry was discoed the day after Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri held a press conference to announce a $50,000 reward for information leading to Jenkins' arrest. 

At the conference, Gualtieri said Jenkins was no longer driving the Chrysler but had last been seen in the Camry. 

Gualtieri said Jenkins is a smart guy who keeps moving and has repeatedly said he is not going back to prison. Gualtieri said those factors, along with being armed, mean Jenkins should be considered armed and dangerous. 

"What is very troubling are Jenkins' statements that he's 'not going back to prison,' " Gualtieri said Jan. 17. "Indications are that he wants to go the hard way. We don't want to see any deputies, police officers (hurt)."

Detectives continue to follow tips and leads in this case and ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jenkins to contact the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office at 727-582-6200; or to remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.

St. Petersburg Police told Patch Wednesday that they are continuing to help the Sheriff's Office in its investigation and is following up on all tips received by the department. 

Police would did not want to provide any more details on Jenkins whereabouts.

"Obviously we don’t know where he is, otherwise he would be arrested," said Bill Proffitt with the St. Pete Police Public Information Office. "But we’re getting a lot of tips and we’re following up on all of them."