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New Development in California Kidnap-Murder

Aired July 18, 2002 - 14:29   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: A new development now in that case in California, where we are following the story of the murder of little Samantha Runnion. We are going to go to Los Angeles now, where Charles Feldman is standing by with more on what that development is -- Charles.

CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, good morning. Officials -- or now, law enforcement officials are checking into an arrest that was made a little while ago up in Fresno, California, to see whether or not the person who was arrested for a traffic violation has anything to do with the kidnapping, sexual assault and murder of Samantha Runnion.

Now, here is the story. A little while ago, an individual, apparently matching at least some of the description of the suspect in this case, ran a traffic light up in Fresno, California, which is north of where we are now in southern California. The Highway Patrol went into pursuit, and they have arrested an individual, but that individual, we are told, has thus far only been charged with a traffic violation.

Now, what is happening as we speak is law enforcement authorities from here, who are involved in the case of Samantha Runnion, are now trying to check whether or not this individual arrested on a traffic violation charge has anything to do with this case. He could, but then again, he may not.

So right now, the news of the hour is that a person has been arrested in Fresno on a traffic violation, somebody who meets some of the description of the individual being sought in this case. But -- and this is very important -- at this hour, nobody, we are told, has been charged with the actual kidnapping and murder of young Samantha Runnion. They do not know whether this individual, who ran the traffic signal, did so because he is connected to this case or did so for some other as yet unknown reason.

That's all we know at this hour -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Charles Feldman, thanks so much.

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