Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

***Was car at hospital linked to Elizabeth?***
Deseret News ^ | 6/17/02 | Derek Jensen

Posted on 06/17/2002 3:35:27 PM PDT by MVV

Was car at hospital linked to Elizabeth?



'Sighting' of Edmunds is just another dead end

By Derek Jensen
Deseret News staff writer

      Police have examined surveillance footage of a suspicious car spotted at Shriners Hospital moments before Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped from her Federal Heights home.
      Fred Trujillo, assistant director of security for Shriners Hospital, told the Deseret News he saw a suspicious-looking car pull into the parking lot at Shriners Hospital just before 1 a.m. June 5.
      Elizabeth was kidnapped from her home between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. the same morning, and Shriners Hospital is located just half a mile from the Smart home near 1500 E. Kristianna Circle (420 North).
      "There were several coincidences that occurred that night," Trujillo said.
      Police, however, have not established any connection between the car and Elizabeth's kidnapping.
      "At this point there is nothing legible on that videotape that would lead us in any direction," Salt Lake Police Capt. Scott Atkinson told reporters Monday.
      News of that apparent dead end came as police also questioned a possible sighting of Bret Michael Edmunds, the 26-year-old transient wanted for questioning in connection with Elizabeth's disappearance.
      A man matching Edmunds' description was spotted Saturday about 11 p.m. picking up a take-out order from a Denny's restaurant in Woods Cross.
      Two Denny's employees recognized the man as matching Edmunds' description and called police, Woods Cross Police Lt. Clarence Montgomery said. The man fled on foot when he saw a police car, Montgomery said. The officer saw the man from about 40 feet away and reported he matched Edmunds' description.
      Montgomery said the man ran into a field that led to an open area with a subdivision to the north. SWAT teams from Salt Lake police and other agencies searched the neighborhood door to door, looking for the man with tracking dogs and a Utah Highway Patrol helicopter with an infrared camera.
      Police did not know the location from where the man called his order, but he told Denny's employees the location was Room 244 at the nearby Motel 6. Police searched the room but it appeared no one had been staying in it, Montgomery said.
      Police finally called the search off at 5:30 a.m.
      Montgomery said Salt Lake police dispatchers called his department after 5:30 a.m. reporting that their department had arrested another man, not Edmunds, who admitted to fleeing from police at the Denny's in Wood Cross. The man apparently told police he ran because he had a fugitive warrant, Montgomery said.
      Salt Lake police could not confirm that arrest Monday morning.
      That apparent dead end is just one in a series of mounting frustrations for investigators in this case.
      "I think we're a lot further than we were on day one," Atkinson said. "We are closer but we don't have any particular focus at this time. . . . I don't know that we're closer to finding her."
      Salt Lake Police Sgt. Fred Louis said Monday police were "hopeful" Elizabeth was still alive. The girl's family continued to hold out that same hope Monday.
      "Yesterday was a very difficult day for us, and we still feel that Elizabeth is out there," her father, Edward Smart, said at a Monday morning press conference.
      In its June 24 issue which hit newsstands Monday, Newsweek cited one "well-placed law enforcement source" as saying Elizabeth's father "came out clean" on his polygraph test. Polygraph tests for other family members, including Elizabeth's uncle Tom Smart, were "inconclusive," Newsweek quoted the source as saying.
      Police continue to sift through hundreds of leads hoping to find any clues in this mysterious case.
      They reviewed the Shriners videotape the morning of Elizabeth's kidnapping and eight days later at the hospital, Louis said.
      Trujillo said he was making his rounds at Shriners just before 1 a.m. June 5 when he noticed a car pull into the parking lot. Trujillo said he was about 15 to 20 yards from the car. It appeared the driver was by himself, Trujillo said.
      "He didn't make eye contact," Trujillo said. "I got a look at him sideways."
      Trujillo described the driver as a white male in his 30s with short but thick dark hair and wide sideburns. The man was not wearing a hat but had on an off-white or cream-colored shirt or jacket, Trujillo said.
      The man's car was a light-colored, late '80s, four-door sedan. Trujillo said he didn't see the license plate.
      The car eventually pulled into the narrow drive behind some bushes near the hospital's exit. Trujillo went inside to monitor the car on the hospital's security camera, which covers the entire parking lot on the west side of the hospital.
      "He made an effort to nestle himself in there," Trujillo said. "He adjusted his vehicle several times. His lights would go off and on several times."
      Trujillo, who has 17 1/2 years law enforcement experience, debated a few minutes before reporting the suspicious car to police.
      Within a few minutes, another car pulled in, but because of the darkness, Trujillo couldn't see what kind of car it was or how many people were inside.
      "They both interacted for 20 to 30 seconds," Trujillo said. "No one got out of the car."
      About 1:05 a.m., Trujillo said both cars drove south on Virginia Street and turned east onto Fairfax before making U-turns and going back to Virginia Street. At Virginia Street, one of the cars drove north into the Smarts' neighborhood and the other car turned west onto 11th Avenue.
      Trujillo said he called police again to tell them both cars had left, but that he never saw an officer until later in the morning when a detective asked for the hospital's surveillance tape.
      "I'm not going to second-guess the police," Trujillo said. "We had some information that was vital, and we wanted to share that to help find this little girl."
     


E-MAIL: djensen@desnews.com


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Utah
KEYWORDS: abduction; elizabethsmart; kidnapping; prayforbushlist; utah
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-103 next last
To: Utah Girl
thanks Utah Girl for informing us, you are always straight with no speculations!!!
21 posted on 06/17/2002 9:19:42 PM PDT by janette
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: janette
Thanks. I'm trying to stick with the facts. I'm speculating like mad in my head though. And praying that Elizabeth is found and that her family is comforted.
22 posted on 06/17/2002 9:26:58 PM PDT by Utah Girl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Utah Girl
Thanks for the ping. I really appreciate it. I like to hear the available information from someone who is close to the scene.
23 posted on 06/17/2002 9:29:52 PM PDT by scholar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Utah Girl
I'm always reading everything (lots of time on hand). I don't like all the speculations but I'm waiting for news like everybody else. We all have different ways, to show our concern. It's the same with Chandra or JohnBenet, it was the same with Danielle! I'd wish, that every lost child got the same attention, but that's not working yet. Maybe, there should be a sponsored tv- chanel, to get all the news about lost children out. Somebody should think about it and work on it. Thanks again Utah Girl
24 posted on 06/17/2002 9:36:37 PM PDT by janette
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Utah Girl
Thanks. This is such a perplexing kidnapping. If the kidnapper had waited and taken her when she was outside somewhere it would not seem so weird. Yet - why in the house with a large family and a sister in the same room?

We want to trust the family - yet - with so many parents killing their own children daily in the news, we begin to be suspicious of all parents when something happens to a child.

25 posted on 06/17/2002 9:38:53 PM PDT by ClancyJ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: ClancyJ
Could this be a possebility, that she was not in the house? Maybe sneaking out for a short while threw the open garage? Whom did she met there? Again, I just hate my thoughts, all this speculating, but I can't help myself until things make sence!(btw: please Mrs.Robinson, provide us with a spell-checker, you have dedicated foreigners on board!!
26 posted on 06/17/2002 9:47:33 PM PDT by janette
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: Carolina;Utah Girl;william tell
"He made an effort to nestle himself in there," Trujillo said. "He adjusted his vehicle several times. His lights would go off and on several times."

Ok - put on the tin foil hat (I can't help it). This could be the signal that he has the girl, then the other car comes up, gives info on where to collect the payoff or the next step, they both leave, do a u-turn - one back toward the Smart's neighborhood, the other to the next destination.

This brings up what is going on?

What does the father do for a living? Any money problems? The other relatives? Would there be any chance someone could allow her to be kidnapped and who knows what for money reasons or as a hold on the family to promote some action?

27 posted on 06/17/2002 9:54:59 PM PDT by ClancyJ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Utah Girl
Thanks for the local update...!

It sounds to me that the uncle is fully working with the police and is not trying to hide anything.

Today I saw Ed & Lois on TV and Ed was talking to the media and Lois's lip was just quivering as she tried to hold back her tears as her husband spoke to the media. My heart just aches for this family and Elizabeth, the whole family is in my daily prayers. My heart also aches when I read some of the down right mean posts people have made here on FR about this family.

I also heard today that over the weekend the Smart family brought home 2 dogs to live with them.
28 posted on 06/17/2002 10:03:03 PM PDT by stlnative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: ClancyJ
Whoops - reread the article and the timing says the cars were seen BEFORE the kidnapping. However, could still be the starting point to meet. Or, perhaps the timing is not between 1-2 am but earlier if relying on the child's time frame.

I just can't get over someone coming in a shared room unless they did not know it was shared until too late. Then, why not take both girls rather than leave a witness? Also, if knew there were two in the room, seems he would have worn a stocking mask or something to be sure he was not seen.

How in the world would he expect to be able to get IN and OUT of a house with 5-6 kids and two parents without anyone hearing him or seeing him?

Again, this is so perplexing and I just pray she will be found safe.

29 posted on 06/17/2002 10:09:23 PM PDT by ClancyJ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: ClancyJ
What does the father do for a living?

Ed Smart is in real estate. He buys homes, fixes them up, and sells them for a profit. The house is currently on the market and has been undergoing renovations.

I have not encountered information regarding family financial troubles.

The website ElizabethSmart.com lists the reward for her return at $250,000 that family, friends, and the community have set up.

30 posted on 06/17/2002 10:09:56 PM PDT by Carolina
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Faith
Prayers sent.
31 posted on 06/17/2002 10:21:58 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Exigence; Utah Girl; hergus; scholar; janette; ClancyJ
I am very frustrated that I haven't heard anymore about the information a private investigator provided to Fox News over the weekend.

I believe it was Diane Diamond who interviewed the male private investigator who kept repeating that he was shocked that information he announced on Fox and other media outletts hadn't been acted upon. Seems he located and spoke to Bret Michael Edwards' sister last week and the police have yet to locate and have a conversation with her! Through his investigation, he found where Edwards lived for several years which was located very close to a vast park with lots of off road trails, etc. The investigator talked to an employee of the park who told him that the park had not been searched by police or groups looking for Elizabeth.

One would think it a no brainer for anything and everything about Edwards to have been thoroughly checked out by now. I found this info very disturbing. When asked if the investigator had notified the police about his findings, the investigator said that he had discussed it on more than one media outlett and that he assumed the police or search groups would go from there... It was obvious he was surprised his findings were falling upon deaf ears.
32 posted on 06/17/2002 10:35:06 PM PDT by demkicker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: demkicker
Thanks for the info... Who brought in this P.I.? Or is he just working on his own? (BTW... the guy name is Bret Michael Edmunds). What else did he say? Does Edmunds sister live in the area?
33 posted on 06/17/2002 10:42:29 PM PDT by stlnative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: brigette
The PI acted on his own. He mentioned that since gathering info and investigating is his business, he was curious about the Smart case and came up with the previously mentioned information, but was shocked others involved in the case hadn't.

He didn't give details of his conversation with Edmund's sister. It was obvious that he thought it best for police to filter any information gleened through interviewing her and didn't want to make anything public. The guy was very professional, but exasperated at the lack of investigation on Edmunds.
34 posted on 06/17/2002 11:25:09 PM PDT by demkicker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: demkicker
Thanks for the reply... I am sitting here watching Fox News Channel and on Hannity & Colmes (a rerun from earlier on Monday Evening) they just mentioned that the Police have Edmunds car. (I am pretty sure that is what they said). I wonder if anyone else can verify this?

Personally I think it strange that Edmund's is still on the run. I would think he would try to work out a deal on his warrants if he promised to come in to the police station for questioning. Also I heard today that Edmunds knows the SLC area very well and has access to cabins and weekend getaway homes. Right now he is the number one suspect in my own mind. Why the police is not looking for more information on him is strange, but they may be looking into all this and the media or the P.I. just does not know it yet. The police seem to be keeping tight lipped.
35 posted on 06/17/2002 11:43:09 PM PDT by stlnative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: demkicker
I saw Diane's interview and thought it was amazing! She interviewed Joseph Culligan and he was very surprised that the police had not searched that park nor contacted Edmunds' sister, as you said. Did you catch what he said about the license plates? I was very confused. He seemed to indicate to me that the number given 266 was wrong and that Edmunds had two previous license plates, of which he knew both numbers. I had a difficult time following Culligan. Diane seemed to terminate the conversation very quickly, promising to return to the topic after the break, but did not do so. I got the feeling that someone told her to stop the interview. What did you think? I also agree that this park needs to be searched. It is very large and has a lake to which cars can drive up to the edge.
36 posted on 06/18/2002 6:47:51 AM PDT by twigs
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: twigs; brigette; demkicker
Did the interview happen to mention the name of the park? If you can find it out, I will find out if it has been searched.
37 posted on 06/18/2002 9:10:40 AM PDT by Utah Girl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: Utah Girl
Utah Girl... I did not see the report about the park. But last night on Hannity & Colmes (Monday Night) I could have swore they said they had Edmunds car, but no Edmunds. I have not been able to verify this yet. They implied that the car was being searched for forensic evidence. I guess I could try to pull up the transcript from the Fox Show to verify what I thought I heard. - I'll repost if I find something out.
38 posted on 06/18/2002 9:59:16 AM PDT by stlnative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: brigette
There's going to be a press conference here in a moment, I will update with any notes.
39 posted on 06/18/2002 10:02:26 AM PDT by Utah Girl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: brigette
I could have swore they said they had Edmunds car, but no Edmunds.

I heard that too and at first thought I was hearing things. Because they did not make much of it, I assumed that the speaker mispoke, b/c that would be huge info!

40 posted on 06/18/2002 10:05:21 AM PDT by twigs
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-103 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson