Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Police Closer to Kidnap Arrest in California

Aired July 19, 2002 - 10:09   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Up first this hour on CNN, police in Orange County, California are inching closer to an arrest in the kidnap-murder of 5-year-old Samantha Runnion. But they also caution an uneasy public that -- quote -- "We're not there yet."

Our national correspondent, Rusty Dornin, is standing by in Stanton, California. Let's go to her now for the very latest -- good morning, Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Leon, there have been no arrests yet in this case. In fact, police are saying no one is in custody. However, several people have been detained for questioning in connection with the death of Samantha Runnion.

Now, apparently, several people, as well as cars -- there were several search warrants served on cars. Four cars were impounded overnight, three of which belong to one man who lives in an apartment complex, according the "L.A. Times," very near where Samantha Runnion was killed. And apparently, after searching that car, it led them to another car, a white car, which does not match the description of the killer's vehicle. However, the police did take away that particular car.

Now, as I said, they are detaining people for questioning. They said there is no one that they are focusing in particular on, but that the case is narrowing, and they feel very confident.

Meantime, in Massachusetts, Samantha Runnion's father, Derek Jackson, spoke about his daughter, about the fact that he will always be connected to Samantha.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DEREK JACKSON, SAMANTHA RUNNION'S FATHER: I have been sending her packages, the times that I don't see her, I send numerous packages and wonderful letters to her, so that when I'm not with her, when she was out in California, that I would stay connected with her. And I will always stay connected with her. She will live in my heart. You know, when I wake up -- when I wake up every day, I will think of her, and I will think of her when I go to bed at night. I will think of her all day long. I love her dearly. I miss you, Samantha.

(END VIDEO CLIP) DORNIN: Samantha Runnion, of course, is also in the hearts and minds of many people in this community, who have just been devastated that something like this could happen in broad daylight. There has been a memorial across the street at her apartment. There continue to be flowers and that sort of thing.

Now, the command center is actually located across the street from the complex. Folks here are working 24/7. Over 500 law enforcement people are on this case. They say that tips are coming in, and from what we understand, the adrenaline is running very high that they are going to be able to nail somebody in this case very soon -- Leon.

HARRIS: Yes, and we know how the police are in cases like this. They don't want to say anything like this unless they really, truly do believe it. But let me ask you something, Rusty, have they been any more forthcoming at all about any of the physical evidence that they say was left behind? It's been -- just been driving curiosity here very much.

DORNIN: It's been driving everyone's curiosity, Leon. And all the sheriff will say is there was a tremendous amount of physical evidence. But when we directly asked him, even on a CNN interview, you know, is there DNA evidence, he just will not confirm that, other than to say there is so much physical evidence that it helped lead them to some of these suspects that they have been talking to, or the people that they have been questioning.

HARRIS: Yes, and I know they had said earlier that they believe that this person may still be in the area. When they say, "in the area," do they mean like in that immediate neighborhood?

DORNIN: Well, Sheriff Mike Carona has been saying he absolutely, positively believes that this man still is in southern California, and again, he says that stems from the physical evidence, but he will not say what that physical evidence is. But he does believe he is somewhere in the southern California area, which of course, is a very huge area.

HARRIS: That's right. Rusty Dornin in Stanton, California -- thank you very much. We'll stay on this story, and we'll get back to you later on.

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