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CNN Live Today

FBI Searches Houses in Florida

Aired September 12, 2001 - 14:50   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.
LOU WATERS, CNN ANCHOR: We have indications out of Rhode Island that authorities have stopped an Amtrak train near Providence. Broadcast reports are telling us there may be a suspect or suspects onboard who eluded authorities in part of the Boston investigation.

The streets near the train station have been cordoned off. The terminal was evacuated about 2:00 p.m., less than an hour ago. It's not immediately known where the train was headed and there is no official confirmation on why the train was stopped.

But we are getting a hint there of why the S.W.A.T. team operation at the Westin Copley Hotel, less than a couple hours ago, ended up inconclusively. They may have been looking for someone there who eluded them. Perhaps we know more about the investigation which seems to be proceeding rapidly because of a number of clues, and we have Susan Candiotti down in Florida, where some people have been taken into custody, not as suspects, necessarily, but Susan, maybe you can tell us exactly what's happening down there?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Lou, let me fill you in. We do know this, that the FBI is concentrating certainly a key part of its investigation in at least four different areas of Florida. They are: Vero Beach, Florida, where we are reporting to you from, Venice, Florida on Florida's west coast, several locations in Broward County, Florida to the south, as well as Daytona Beach, Florida.

Now reporting to you, giving you a live look at what's happening now on a very quiet residential street in Vero Beach, Florida, we can tell you about 2 and a half hours ago, the FBI took in for questioning a man identified by a law enforcement source as an acquaintance of one, of a man who rented one of two homes located side by side, homes that have been searched here on this street by the FBI since about 5:30 this morning.

We counted at one point at least a dozen FBI agents here, we also saw someone from the ATF and someone dressed in protective garments. Again, these two homes are located side-by-side. They were being rented, according to neighbors, by two men who identified themselves as being commercial pilots from Saudi Arabia.

One neighbor tells us that one of the men was believed to be attending called Piper Flight Training School, once attended by J.F.K., Jr. Also, a neighbor tells us that one of two homes was being rented by a family, a man, a woman and at least three children who moved out over the weekend.

The man who rented the house to them tells me that they always paid their rent on time. He never had any trouble with these people and he feels very badly about the whole thing. We do know that at least one man was still living at one of the homes located next door.

The FBI showed up at 5:30 this morning pounding on doors, telling people they had to evacuate because of a possible bomb. Apparently none was found. Here is what one of the neighbors had to say about the neighbor next door.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My son played with their kids down the road, but I never met the parents. They stayed inside pretty much. I waved to them. They were friendly and they waved when they passed by, whatnot.

CANDIOTTI: So this is a couple?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was a family, yes.

CANDIOTTI: With how many children?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four, I believe.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: Lou, we have run out of time. When you come back to us we will tell you about additional information of searches going on in other parts of Florida. Back to you.

WATERS: All right, Susan Candiotti from Vero Beach.

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