Police officials said Wednesday that a person is in custody in connection with the killing of an elderly woman inside her East Harlem apartment, but details as to the individual's identity and link to the case remain unclear.

Earlier in the day, investigators said they were looking to question Gregory Velez, 35.

Sources told NY1 Velez is known to the family of 77-year-old Julia Hernandez and was recently released from jail.

Hernandez's daughter found her body last night inside her apartment at the Wagner Houses on East 120th Street.

The victim was tied up with a plastic bag over her head.

Investigators were seen hauling bags of evidence out of the apartment, and the medical examiner ruled the woman's death a homicide Wednesday.

Hernandez's daughter told NY1 she went to check on her mother after she couldn't reach her by phone. After finding her mother dead, she noticed the flat screen TV and other items missing.

"I just hope they find the guy. If you're out there, I hope that we catch you. What you did to my mother; you're going to suffer," said the victim's daughter, Elaine Hernandez.

Residents who spoke with NY1 say the crime has them on edge.

"It's got to be an animal, a criminal that would do this to a grandmother. Because I never think how nobody see nothing... either somebody see nothing [sic], or maybe she's screaming, maybe somebody will come help her," said one resident.

"It's sad that you have to hear about this," said another. "And this neighborhood is getting worse and we're hearing more and more about people getting robbed, especially our elders, and this just needs to stop."

Velez is described as being about six feet tall and weighing about 180 pounds.

Anyone with information about the case is being asked to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-577-TIPS, by texting TIP577 to CRIMES, or by going to NYPDCrimeStoppers.com.