Slayings suspect has 'no conscience,' police warn

SACRAMENTO, California (CNN) -- Calls have been pouring in to Sacramento authorities since murder suspect Nikolay Soltys was placed on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted" list, the sheriff's office said Friday, but so far none of the tips has led authorities to the man suspected of killing six of his family members.

"We are getting a lot of calls, a lot of sightings, some of which could be credible sightings," said Capt. John McGinness of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. Virtually all of the calls were checked but none panned out, he said.

Soltys, 27, has escaped a nationwide dragnet for four days. On Thursday, with authorities hoping to generate new leads in the case, the FBI placed the Ukrainian immigrant on its "Ten Most Wanted" list.

A $70,000 reward has been posted for information leading to his capture,said Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Sharon Chow.

McGinness said Friday the search is focusing on the Sacramento area because there have been no credible sightings anywhere else. Specifically, he said, the manhunt is concentrating on Ukrainian neighborhoods, where Soltys may be seeking refuge.

VIDEO The missing child of Nikolay Soltys, sought in the deaths of five of his family members, was found dead north of Sacramento, California (August 21) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Sacramento authorities say the suspect is a member of the victims' family of Ukrainian immigrants (August 20) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   MORE STORIES • Sacramento killing suspect may have extortion cash   • Case puts spotlight on Ukrainian-American community     EXTRA INFORMATION • Gallery: Sacramento killings rampage   • Map: Key locations in California slayings   • Anyone with information on Nikolay Soltys' whereabouts should call either (916) 874-5321 or (916) 874-5414     RESOURCES FBI: Ten Most Wanted Fugitives   FBI: Nikolay Soltys   Message board: Family violence

The killing spree began Monday, authorities said, when Soltys' wife was killed at the couple's home and his aunt and uncle were killed at their home, along with two cousins -- a 9-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy.

The body of his son was found in a cardboard box Tuesday at a remote location in Placer County, adjacent to Sacramento County.

McGinness said all the victims "were slashed." No weapons have been found.

A memorial for the family members is planned for 10 a.m. Sunday at Bethany Slavic Church in Sacramento, Chow said.

Surviving family members are under police protection and have been placed in "alternate housing," McGinness said, because of fears for their safety.

Besides the calls and tips being phoned in, investigators are also gathering more information about Soltys and his background from his family members.

"Much of it includes violence, force, and very clear evidence that he has no conscience," said McGinness. "He has gotten through life by forcing his way on other people. ... We know he had a domestic violence issue in a prior marriage in the Ukraine, and that he apparently has bullied his family and persons close to him."

Soltys has a history of extorting money from family and friends in his community, pressuring them for cash, he said. Officials warn Soltys is considered armed and extremely dangerous.

"I think anybody who knows him well or even casually has some fear of him, as well they should," said McGinness.

Soltys has ties to New York; Seattle; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Canada.

The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department has established two 24-hour tip lines for information concerning Soltys: (916) 874-5321 and (916) 874-5414.