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Police Officer Discusses Abduction
Aired August 28, 2002 - 09:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Nicholas Farber a 9-year-old boy apparently abducted from inside of his own home in the middle of the night, 2 a.m. local time in the West Coast. There is a hunt right now in southern California for what is described as a GMC Yukon, a rather large SUV identified in that apparent abduction.
Let's get Dennis Gutierrez from the Sheriff's Department of Riverside County by telephone.
Sir, are you there? Can you hear me OK?
DENNIS GUTIERREZ, RIVERSIDE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: Yes, I can, and good morning.
HEMMER: Good morning to you.
What are facts as you know them right now?
GUTIERREZ: At this time, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department received a telephone call about 2:08 this morning in the area of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in the Palm Desert area of the county. The information that we have received, that 9-year-old boy, Michael Nicholas Farber, was taken by force. Apparently, two dark-skinned males gained entry into the residence by forcing themselves into the house and then abducting the little boy.
At this time, we have (UNINTELLIGIBLE) reported that they were last seen driving in a light, possibly white, Yukon SUV type. And an Amber Alert has been issued, I believe.
HEMMER: It has been issued, is that right? Is that confirmed?
GUTIERREZ: I was able to get this from another news organization, that they have called the California Highway Patrol.
HEMMER: OK.
Earlier today -- I think this is important to figure this thing out -- the difference between the Amber Alert and the missing child alert is what? Because about 15 minutes ago we were told that the missing child alert was now in place. You can define better for us?
GUTIERREZ: I think that when children come up missing is how they are missing. Yesterday, where I was working, we had a little boy that was missing, and then he was subsequently found at a neighbor's house. At that time, we didn't have any information any foul play was in place. On this one, we have received information that the boy was taken by force.
And the two suspects were wearing masks, I believe, also.
HEMMER: The father was assaulted. Is that a fact?
GUTIERREZ: Yes, that is the information that I am receiving also.
HEMMER: Do you know how -- about his injuries, what happened there in that altercation.
GUTIERREZ: No, I do not, unfortunately.
HEMMER: Right now, your search is taking you where in the state of California?
HEMMER: Right now, we're still gathering and still conducting the investigation in the Palm Desert area, getting all information from the father. Then from that point on, to try to get any possible leads in this, we need the help of the public. If they happen to see a white or light colored Yukon in the area of the Coachella Valley, which covers Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and that the Amber Alert has been issued, then it will be put on all the signs that Caltrans has throughout the interstate system.
HEMMER: I know, sir, that this story is still very fresh, just about 4 1/2 hours old as I look at the clock here in New York City.
GUTIERREZ: Yes, sir.
HEMMER: Given that fact, and knowing it's early, is there a motive even been talked about here just yet.
GUTIERREZ: No, at this time, again, the investigation is still ongoing, and we do not have a motive at this time, if any. But as soon as we get it, believe me, I will be forwarding the information...
HEMMER: Dennis Gutierrez, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, thanks for your help on this. We appreciate it. We've been tracking this story for the past 1 1/2 hours.
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