Cops I.D. suspect in murder of mayor's neighbor

Police have issued an arrest warrant for a handyman who allegedly murdered an elderly neighbor of Mayor Nutter last year.

Edward Gause, 43, fatally beat Robert Lancaster, 76, inside Lancaster's home on 50th Street near Woodbine Avenue in Wynnefield on Nov. 5, police said. 

Gause was a talented handyman who had been doing renovations on Gause's house, said Homicide Fugitive Squad Detective Ed Rocks. 

Investigators believe the slaying was spurred by an argument over a payment, Rocks said. 

Lancaster was found dead in his second-floor bedroom by a nephew a few days after he was murdered. His face was covered with a pillow, and the left side of his head showed clear signs of trauma, police said at the time. 

Rocks said Gause was spotted in the city as recently as a few weeks ago. He has no family in the area, but was living in an apartment on 63rd Street near Lansdowne Avenue.

Tipsters can contact the Fugitive Squad at 215-686-3068.