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Indiana State Police revealed Monday that Allen, 50, a Delphi resident, is charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of 14-year-old Libby and 13-year-old Abby Williams.

Abby and Libby, best friends in the eighth grade, were walking on a trail in broad daylight when they were killed on Feb. 13, 2017. Delphi, a close-knit town of nearly 3,000 residents, was filled with fear in the wake of the double homicide. For more than five years, officials pleaded with the public to come forward with information.

\"PHOTO:
Courtesy Anna Williams
PHOTO: An undated handout photo shows Anna Williams with her daughter, Abby Williams, who was murdered in Delphi, Ind., in Feb. 2017.
>
\"PHOTO:
Courtesy Becky Patty
PHOTO: An undated handout photo shows Libby German of Delphi, Ind., who was murdered in Feb. 2017.
>

Libby's sister, Kelsi German, said she always felt the girls' killer must be someone familiar with the Delphi area, but she said she didn't want to believe the suspect \"was right here among us.\"

Libby's aunt crossed paths with Allen at CVS once, according to the Pattys. The aunt brought in pictures of Libby to print for her funeral and said Allen didn't charge her for them.

A CVS spokesperson said in a statement, “We are shocked and saddened to learn that one of our store employees was arrested as a suspect in these crimes. We stand ready to cooperate with the police investigation in any way we can.”

Monday marks the first time police have named a suspect in the case. Police have still not released how the girls were killed.

\"PHOTO:
Obtained by ABC News
PHOTO: Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen, a member of the Delphi community, is seen in this undated photo at a local bar where he was a regular. Allen is seen standing in front of the wanted poster.
>

Libby's sister said the arrest for her brings \"new obstacles and emotions that we have to learn how to deal with.\"

German said she visited her sister's grave on Sunday to talk to her about the updates in the case.

\"PHOTO:
ABC News
PHOTO: The trail in Delphi, Indiana, where Abby Williams, 13, and Libby German, 14, were killed on Feb. 13, 2017.
>

Mike Patty commended the police officers who he said were diligent and \"sacrificed their own family time\" trying to solve his granddaughter's case.

\"They never let up,\" he said.

Allen, who was taken into custody on Oct. 26, had his initial hearing and entered a not guilty plea, Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland said Monday. He's being held without bond and is set to return to court in January, McLeland said. The prosecutor would not say when Allen became a suspect or if he knew Abby or Libby.

Arrest Made for the Murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German https://t.co/s882CvXVhh

— Indiana State Police (@IndStatePolice) October 31, 2022

\"There's a lot of questions we have that are unanswered,\" Mike Patty said, \"but all in due time that will come.\"

Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said the investigation is ongoing. Carter added that if anyone else was involved, that person will be held accountable.

More than 70,000 tips have been submitted in the Delphi case, ⁦@IndStatePolice⁩ Superintendent Carter tells ABC News pic.twitter.com/TVMK9GLThA

— Emily Shapiro (@EmilyShapiroABC) October 31, 2022

Police encourage the public to continue to submit tips at abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com or 765-822-3535.

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