A building porter in Orange was charged yesterday with the September murder of an elderly woman who lived in the apartment building where he worked.

Police Director Charles Cobbertt identified the suspect as Donald Brown, 21, of Eaton Place in East Orange.

Brown was taken into custody in police headquarters about 10 a.m. and charged with the first degree murder of Fannie Hilton, 80, of 749 Scotland Road on Sept. 26, Cobbertt said.

Hilton's nightgown-clad body, bound at the hands and ankles, was found lying on the floor of her apartment where she had lived alone for about six years. the residence had been ransacked, police added.

Cobbertt credited Detective Lt. Dominick Scarola, Police Detective William Combes and Investigator James Gold of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office with breaking the case.

Brown was called into police headquarters for questioning yesterday and subsequently was charged with the murder, said the police director.

"He was the number one suspect all along," Cobbertt said of Brown, who was employed at the building for at least six months.

Cobbertt said authorities have a motive for Hilton's murder, but declined to divulge it.

No weapon was recovered in connection with the homicide, police said.

Brown is being held in the municipal jail without bail pending an arraignment today, Cobbertt said.

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“Reach Back with One Hand and Pull Someone Else Up With You.”

– Charles C. Cobbertt

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