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American Morning

Sheriff Says Kidnap, Rape Suspect Was Looking For Place to Kill Two Young Girls

Aired August 02, 2002 - 09:02   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: The sheriff in California says a kidnap and rape suspect was looking for a place to kill two young girls, when he himself was shot by two deputies. The girls have been released by a hospital. They are back home. They are safe. More now from James Hattori, though, in Monterey Park, California.

James, good morning.

JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

The man that police say kidnapped the two girls, reportedly shouted, "No way. No way," and reached for a weapon, shortly before Kern County sheriff's deputies opened fire, killing him.

Now the first shots they fired actually struck a car he was driving. That's when they moved in and were able to rescue the two girls.

This morning, they're back with their families and they're reported in relatively good condition. They were taken early Thursday from a spot known as a lover's lane in Lancaster, California. Their companions left tied up. It all ended, though, 12 hours later, after a car choice and statewide manhunt, about 100 miles to the north, in Kern county.

The kidnapper was seen swerving down a road, on that hill. Deputies moved in. It's not clear if the suspect fired at the deputies. He's identified as Roy Ratliff, convicted burglar, wanted for parole violation and a rape charge.

Bill, he's described as a three-striker, authorities say, which means he would have faced a mandatory sentence if he was caught. He had, police say, he had nothing to lose, he had raped the two girls, and authorities believe that he intended to kill them as well -- Bill.

HEMMER: James Hattori in Monterey Park, thank you.

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