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American Morning

Search Warrants Issued in Investigation of Girl's Murder

Aired July 19, 2002 - 07:02   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: "Up Front" today, there is word of new developments in the investigation into the kidnap and murder of Samantha Runnion. Right to Rusty Dornin now in Stanton, California with more on the investigation there; about 4:00 in the morning, but they are not stopping their work -- Rusty, good morning.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Now, Bill, this is a 24-hour operation, absolutely, as you said, a fever pitch. There is no way to emphasize just how much speed is critical in a situation like this in trying to track down Samantha Runnion's killer.

Now, no arrests have been made, but search warrants have been issued. And according to an "L.A. Times" story, it looks like they are looking at a 27-year-old man, who lives in an apartment complex in Lake Elsinore, which is nearby where the young girl's body was found. Apparently, the law enforcement officials have impounded three of this man's cars, because they roughly match the description of the killer's vehicle. But, as I said, no arrests have made, and of course, his name has not yet been issued.

Now, here at the command post in Stanton, which is across the street from the little girl's apartment complex, things, as I said, are going around the clock. They have two double-wide trailers here just filled with folks who are manning the phones, manning the fax machines.

Apparently, they have a tracking system that is very similar to one used after September 11. It monitors the phones and faxes, and then prioritizes things in terms of how high the priority of the tip is in a situation. They have received over 2,000 leads in this case. Sheriff Mike Carona saying he still does believe that the suspect is here in southern California.

Meantime, folks in this neighborhood, of course, devastated by what has happened, and the memorial to Samantha continues to grow here -- Bill.

HEMMER: Rusty, thanks. Countless questions again today -- Rusty Dornin tracking it all in California. And various rumors coming out yesterday throughout the day about arrests being made, and police are saying once those reports go out, the public stops looking and stops calling, and that's not a good thing.

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