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CNN Live Today

Police Search for Kidnapped Girls in California

Aired August 01, 2002 - 13:28   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: We are continuing to follow that breaking news story out of Lancaster, California. If you are just tuning in, two teenage girls kidnapped at gunpoint in Lancaster, California. These are the two teenagers that police are looking for right now, 17-year-old Jaqueline Marris and Tamera Brooks, age 16. Both were up at a very popular point in Lancaster known as Lovers Lane. They didn't know each other. They were both with their boyfriends and then were kidnapped about 2:00 a.m. this morning.

They are now -- police are now searching for them in this white Bronco. This Bronco belonged to one of the girl's boyfriends. Evidently, the suspect apparently had been driving another car, a car that could have been hijacked back on July 18 in Las Vegas --a man that police have been searching for. A Saturn was found at the scene. He then jumped into this car, taking both kidnapped girls with him.

Our Casey Wian is on the scene now, live in Lancaster to fill in all the blanks -- Casey.

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I'll fill in as many of the blanks as I can. What we do know is that law enforcement throughout southern California other Western states are searching for what is described, who is described, as a Hispanic male. As you mentioned, they suspect that he carjacked a car in Las Vegas some days ago. It was a Saturn vehicle. He brought it here to the Antelope Valley, which is located about an hour's drive north of Los Angeles sometime last night. He attempted to burn that vehicle. At some point, he came across these two couples who were parked in the Quartz Hill section of the Antelope Valley. As it's been described, it's sort of a lovers lane-type area.

The girls may or may not have known each other. They were parked in separate vehicles. They were both students at Antelope Valley High School. At some point, the suspect tied up their male companions, their boyfriends, and took the two girls with them in one of the boyfriends' vehicle, which is described in the picture you showed: a white Ford Bronco.

A massive manhunt is underway. The state for the first time using its amber alert system for kidnapped or missing children. They sent out alerts to radio and television stations early this morning. There are signs on the freeways throughout southern California with the description of the vehicle and with a number to call for the California Highway Patrol if anyone sees this vehicle. Law enforcement officials are warning that this suspect is potentially armed, potentially dangerous. And they are warning people if they see him or his vehicle to stay away from it, do not attempt to approach it.

Right now, family members, if you can imagine, are very distraught and are making appeals to both the kidnappers and the victims.

Earlier, we heard from the aunt of one of the victims.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just want to say that, you know, if the girls are by chance listening, remember girls, you do what you can to get away. You kick him where you can. You head butt him. You bite him. You do you whatever you do that can get you a chance at getting away. Because there's two of you; you've got to remember that. There are two of you and one him.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tell us about your niece.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jacqueline -- beautiful girl. Intelligent, gets above average grades. Wonderful girl. She -- I know she can think of ways to get out of this.

I just hope -- just do whatever can you, honey, because the best thing for you is to get away. It's all you can do. No matter what he tells you, what he says he's going to do, it doesn't matter: You fight, you fight like hell, because you don't know if this is your last chance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIAN: Law enforcement officials are not saying where they suspect that the suspect may have headed with these two girls. We are in a region that is known as the High Desert of southern California. There's lots of desert out here. There are mountains around here. Lots of places to hide, lots of places he could have fled.

We are expecting more word from sheriff's deputies in a little while, and we will bring that to you as soon as we can -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Have you been able to talk with FBI agents there on the ground? I did talk with an FBI agent out of Las Vegas. He was a bit vague, but said he was in contact with the FBI agents there on the ground in Lancaster. About this Saturn, this hijacking that took place back on July 18. They have been looking for this man. Do they believe there is a possible connection?

WIAN: Kyra, I wish I could tell you. Frankly, I just got out here a couple of minutes ago. I know our producers have been in contact with law enforcement. I'll just have to get back to you on that one. We will be in touch with law enforcement throughout the day, and hopefully, we'll be able to answer more of your questions as the day goes on. PHILLIPS: Casey Wian, I know you will. Thank you so much.

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