WATERBURY, COnn. -- Police have obtained an arrest warrant charging Ervis Mecollari with murder in connection with the December 2008 death of Laura Orso.

Orso, 85, was fatally stabbed in her apartment on Wesley Street in Waterbury during an apparent robbery, police said.

Police said Mecollari, who lived in the apartment below Orso, was named a person of interest early in the investigation. Police said he has not been seen since Orso's death.

Waterbury police said a woman purchased a one-way bus ticket from Waterbury to St. Petersburg, Fla., for Mecollari, but that he did not complete the trip. Officers have traveled to New York City, Florida and Albania searching for Mecollari, but he has not been found.

Police said an arrest warrant was obtained Tuesday, charging Mecollari with murder in connection with Orso's death. The bond on the charge is set at $5 million.

Anyone with information regarding Mecollari's whereabouts is urged to contact the Waterbury Police Department by dialing 203-755-1234.