Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Police Zero in on Upscale Neighborhood Where Smart Family Lives

Aired June 12, 2002 - 12:17   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Salt Lake City's police chief admits there's no real breakthrough in the abduction of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart, but he does say that authorities may have spoken with Elizabeth's abductor. This comes as police zero in on the upscale neighborhood where the Smart family lives.

James Hattori has been on the story since it began. He joins us now from Salt Lake City, Utah -- James.

JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.

Investigators are indeed narrowing their focus in their words in this investigation. After reviewing hundreds of leads, forensic evidence at the house and consulting with FBI behavioral experts, they now think they have sort of a mental picture or profile of the suspect; even some idea of a motive. And while they can't put a face or a name to that profile yet, they now believe they will eventually solve this crime.

As a result, police are now back in the neighborhoods surrounding the house where the kidnapping occurred Wednesday morning. They think the suspect had access to that area, so they're talking with neighbors, workers who might have been in the area. They're also looking at sex offenders in the area.

Investigators believe a suspect is still in Salt Lake City, although they haven't ruled out the possibility that he has fled. They say they may have, in fact, talked to him in the course of the investigation. Salt Lake City Police Chief Rick Dinse yesterday had some personal words of warning to the suspect, who he describes as a predator.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF RICK DINSE, SALT LAKE CITY POLICE: We believe we have enough information about the suspect, the characteristics of the suspect, based on the crime scene, based on all the investigative leads we've (UNINTELLIGIBLE) up until now, including a behavioral science picture of him. So we have narrowed our focus in order to meet those things that we believe will bring us to him.

(END VIDEO CLIP) HATTORI: And while investigators have a growing sense of encouragement, they do not put a timetable as to when a suspect will be in custody. The family of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart still very hopeful that, in their words, they believe she is still alive. They have that feeling. Police say that they are hoping too for a miracle, as they put it.

Kyra, we'll have to see as the investigation continues what investigators find as they look through the neighborhood surrounding the home where this kidnapping occurred now more than a week ago.

PHILLIPS: James Hattori, thanks so much. We'll be checking in with you again.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com