Sierra Lamar -- Missing 3/16/12

Roxanne14 wrote:I'm new to posting here. I've been reading and not joining into the conversation. I'm wondering if the female they found in the water is Sierra and that's why the arrest came down? I have a feeling they suspected it was Garcia-Torres all along but were waiting to arrest him to ensure a conviction. It's harder to convict without a body. It sounds like they were monitoring him night and day.

He looked so arrogant when he came out of the police station on the news video.

I'm thinking the same thing, the body they found where they called the other county ME makes me think this was Sierra that was found. Guess we will find out at the PC in the am.

I am curious if this is the same person seen tearing down the posters?

Is this the same person Sierra described as being "creepy" and trying to pick her up from the bus stop?

What was his work schedule? Was he going to work when he saw her and had they shopped at the store?

Suspect resides in San Martin. Where is that in relation to MH?

Please tell me he was not one of the searchers?

Freckles: All good questions, maybe tomorrow will bring some answers.

Oh my! I don't know all of the details in this sad story. I wasn't following things right from the start. Some guy was seen tearing down the "missing" posters? And she desribed a guy as creepy that tried to pick her up from the bus stop? Was this the bus stop that took her to school?

" Santa Clara County Sheriff's detectives plan to hold a press conference on Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. and provide further details. The family if Sierra is expected to be there as well. "

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=8671450

More info on arrests and phot of suspect:
http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/crime-law/suspect-taken-custody-sierra-la-mar-case/nPBX3/

Authorities announce arrest in Sierra LaMar disappearance

By Eric Kurhi
San Jose Mercury News
San Jose, CA

Posted: 05/21/2012 10:12:11 PM PDT
Updated: 05/21/2012 11:58:07 PM PDT



Antolin Garcia-Torres was arrested
in connection with the disappearance of
Morgan Hill-area teen Sierra LaMar.
(Santa Clara County Sheriiff's Dept)


In a stunning breakthrough in a case that has captivated the country, authorities on Monday evening arrested a suspect on suspicion of murder and kidnapping in the disappearance of Sierra LaMar.

Antolin Garcia-Torres, 21, was booked into Santa Clara County Jail on one count of murder and one count of kidnapping.

"We believe we have probable cause that he committed the kidnapping and murder of Sierra LaMar," said Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith at a late evening news conference.

The sheriff's office previously announced that a red Volkswagen Jetta may be connected to the case, and according to authorities, Garcia-Torres is the owner of the car, which was seized on May 8.

"We have a lot of physical evidence" Smith said. She said the public's safety is the main concern of her office, and, "we don't want to see anyone else hurt or any other little girls taken."

She said Garcia-Torres had been under surveillance by her department, but declined to elaborate.

Read more:

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_20677622/arrest-sierra-lamar-disappearance

A dedicated page to the Sierra LaMar case:
~~~

http://www.mercurynews.com/sierra-lamar
San Jose Mercury News San Jose, CA Current as of 5/22/12

Special Report » The search for Sierra LaMar

"Kidnapping and murder". It appears they know she is indeed dead. It's very sad.

Is that the guys mug shot picture? Cause he looks like he has had a broken nose.

How heartbreaking! I know we were all hoping they would find Sierra alive.

My heart breaks another young girl gone to soon. Her life was really just starting, no telling what so would have gone up to be. I hope here parents find peace, but I am sure it will be a hard road for them. I hope they can bring back her body, so her parents can bury her in the respect she deserves.

Alessandra_Deux wrote:Suspect arrested in Sierra LaMar case

Updated at 11:36 PM today


Sierra LaMar

"He was arrested around 6 p.m. at the Safeway store where he works at Tennant Ave. in Morgan Hill. Investigators questioned him for several hours and he is being held at the Santa Clara County jail.

"It was about 5:30, I was at work and we just saw a bunch of cops and guns drawn and I couldn't see anyone if they took him away. I just saw the cops, it was just cops and cop cars, it was all really fast," said Bobby Fox, a witness at Safeway.

Over the past week, investigators sorted through tips that come in after last week's episode of "America's Most Wanted" that featured Sierra's case. Some callers reported having seen the red VW Jetta.

Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said, "He was arrested today because this is how we thought that the arrest should be done and public safety is our number one concern. We don't want anyone else hurt. We don't want any more little girls taken."

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=8671450

It seems they have something very concrete. In this interview, Lori Smith looks emotional. When asked why the arrest went down when it did (last night), she emotionally responded that they were concerned about the safety of other girls out there and they didn't want any more girls murdered. I felt a sense of sincerity in that statement - that she has seen tangible evidence of a murdered girl and she has strong reason to believe this guy will do it again.

There's alway a fine line between not letting a criminal slip between your fingers and jumping in too early when you don't have enough evidence. I hope the first applies.

Does anyone have a link for this press conference, and when they say 8am -- is that Pacific time, assuming?

So it would seem that when the cops were asking for tips on the red jetta (that they already had in their possession) they also already suspected Torres - they just needed someone else to call in and say "yeah, we saw Torres driving that car during that time".

And I'm guessing that their theory is that he reported hiw own car stolen to create an alibi and that might also explain why the car was "returned" back to his same neighborhood only a street away. We were all wondering who steals a vehicle and then puts it back essentially where it belongs... I guess the answer is: it's owner.

And they say Torres's DNA is on her clothes found in her Juicy bag (which I've seen erroneously tagged as a backpack in some reports).

This is all very sad. Maybe Marlene was told this very early on since police now say the Jetta was always in their possession for some time. Maybe that's why she kept referring to Sierra in the past tense - she knew. Now we wait for the details and the motive. I'm still curious if this had anytyhing to do with her online presence which gained unwanted attention.

http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/raw-video-sierra-la-mar-suspect-antolin-garcia/vHPHb/

Raw Video of Torres taken into custody. He looks directly into the camera several times.

Ok

So the body was not Sierra's?

I see in Stolats link that the basis for the initial 2 hour questioning is to gain specifics about where Sierra is located.

My prayers go out to her family! I really hope they find her body so she can be put to rest. She deserves a proper burial. I am so sad to wake up and read this awful news. I was really hoping she was found alive

Stolat wrote:http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/raw-video-sierra-la-mar-suspect-antolin-garcia/vHPHb/

Raw Video of Torres taken into custody. He looks directly into the camera several times.

After looking at this videos, he doesn't look like he is going to talk. I don't think he will give any information about why the body is to be found. I hope he had his cell phone with him so they can trace his steps, but if he throw her phone away, he knew they could track where they were going. This seemed to be well planned out.

snowbird wrote:

Stolat wrote:http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/raw-video-sierra-la-mar-suspect-antolin-garcia/vHPHb/

Raw Video of Torres taken into custody. He looks directly into the camera several times.

After looking at this videos, he doesn't look like he is going to talk. I don't think he will give any information about why the body is to be found. I hope he had his cell phone with him so they can trace his steps, but if he throw her phone away, he knew they could track where they were going. This seemed to be well planned out.

I would like to wait and see what they have on him.
They charged him.
THe media was in there ASAP- like they met up with LE at Safeway.
However, LS says "we believe that we have probable cause".
That is not a strong statement.

If this is the guy, great.
I hope it is.

There could be a few reasons for his look, however.

-General Arrogance.
-You won't find her and you got nothing.
-Complete void of anxiety because I am a sociopath.
-Yeah whatever, you do not have the right guy.

Come on 800am!!!

Tamta wrote:

snowbird wrote:

Stolat wrote:http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/raw-video-sierra-la-mar-suspect-antolin-garcia/vHPHb/

Raw Video of Torres taken into custody. He looks directly into the camera several times.

After looking at this videos, he doesn't look like he is going to talk. I don't think he will give any information about why the body is to be found. I hope he had his cell phone with him so they can trace his steps, but if he throw her phone away, he knew they could track where they were going. This seemed to be well planned out.

I would like to wait and see what they have on him.
They charged him.
THe media was in there ASAP- like they met up with LE at Safeway.
However, LS says "we believe that we have probable cause".
That is not a strong statement.

If this is the guy, great.
I hope it is.

There could be a few reasons for his look, however.

-General Arrogance.
-You won't find her and you got nothing.
-Complete void of anxiety because I am a sociopath.
-Yeah whatever, you do not have the right guy.

Come on 800am!!!

They did say they have some DNA of his on her clothing that was in her purse. I think he is a sociopath who is arrogant that won't give up her location.

Getting the media on the scene for their arrest at a public place like a grocery store with guns drawn looks
suspiciously over-the-top.

Why do they need to convince the public he's guilty
without trial?
I think they have her body.
They just needed to arrest somebody.

The car is a problem.
So he sees "his car" on the news every night and continues on to work at the grocery store?

Interesting.
Something seems a bit hinky about this whole thing.
The Sheriff looked nervous. Kind of stuttery.
I don't blame her.
She's got some splaining to do.
Again.
She's worried NOW about someone else being hurt?
Yet, nary a notice to the public they had a murderer
abductor in their midst?

Seems to me the last I heard was the mantra lately
of "She's alive", she's alive!".

That was certainly disingenuous of the Sheriff's office.
They should have been preparing for this announcement
rather than more of the disinfo, right down to the wire.

snowbird wrote:

Tamta wrote:

snowbird wrote:

Stolat wrote:http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/raw-video-sierra-la-mar-suspect-antolin-garcia/vHPHb/

Raw Video of Torres taken into custody. He looks directly into the camera several times.

After looking at this videos, he doesn't look like he is going to talk. I don't think he will give any information about why the body is to be found. I hope he had his cell phone with him so they can trace his steps, but if he throw her phone away, he knew they could track where they were going. This seemed to be well planned out.

I would like to wait and see what they have on him.
They charged him.
THe media was in there ASAP- like they met up with LE at Safeway.
However, LS says "we believe that we have probable cause".
That is not a strong statement.

If this is the guy, great.
I hope it is.

There could be a few reasons for his look, however.

-General Arrogance.
-You won't find her and you got nothing.
-Complete void of anxiety because I am a sociopath.
-Yeah whatever, you do not have the right guy.

Come on 800am!!!

They did say they have some DNA of his on her clothing that was in her purse. I think he is a sociopath who is arrogant that won't give up her location.

So he continued to go to work everyday(how without his vehicle?)
knowing that it was his car all over national media and that his co-workers knew that was his vehicle?

THat is just stupid.

Absolutely heartbreaking news!
I hope that our questions will be answered in the press conference.
#JusticeForSierra

Tamta wrote:

snowbird wrote:

Tamta wrote:

snowbird wrote:

Stolat wrote:http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/raw-video-sierra-la-mar-suspect-antolin-garcia/vHPHb/

Raw Video of Torres taken into custody. He looks directly into the camera several times.

After looking at this videos, he doesn't look like he is going to talk. I don't think he will give any information about why the body is to be found. I hope he had his cell phone with him so they can trace his steps, but if he throw her phone away, he knew they could track where they were going. This seemed to be well planned out.

I would like to wait and see what they have on him.
They charged him.
THe media was in there ASAP- like they met up with LE at Safeway.
However, LS says "we believe that we have probable cause".
That is not a strong statement.

If this is the guy, great.
I hope it is.

There could be a few reasons for his look, however.

-General Arrogance.
-You won't find her and you got nothing.
-Complete void of anxiety because I am a sociopath.
-Yeah whatever, you do not have the right guy.

Come on 800am!!!

They did say they have some DNA of his on her clothing that was in her purse. I think he is a sociopath who is arrogant that won't give up her location.

So he continued to go to work everyday(how without his vehicle?)
knowing that it was his car all over national media and that his co-workers knew that was his vehicle?

THat is just stupid.

Coworkers, and just about anybody who ever shopped at Safeway!
You'd have noticed the car sooner or later.
I mean what with the mismatched wheel size and black hood.

Sierra LaMar

Article/Slideshow:


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/22/antolin-garcia-torres-arrested-sierra-la-mar_n_1535016.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D162897

Will someone post the PC?

I have an 815!!

My prayers go out to her family, friends and the volunteers who worked endlessly to bring Sierra home...i am heartbroken by this news this morning. I am so sorry Sierra

RAW VIDEO: Sierra La Mar suspect Antolin Garcia-Torres leaves sheriff's headquarters

http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/raw-video-sierra-la-mar-suspect-antolin-garcia/vHPHb/

Typo Positive wrote:Seems to me the last I heard was the mantra lately
of "She's alive", she's alive!".

That was certainly disingenuous of the Sheriff's office.
They should have been preparing for this announcement
rather than more of the disinfo, right down to the wire.

I am just guessing that LE tried to lead the suspect to not think they were onto him as they were probably hoping he would lead them to an alive Sierra somewhere, so them watching him 24/7 is not surprising. I am sure that after a while of him not going anywhere to FEED or check on Sierra along with DNA evidence in the vehicle they surmised she was no longer alive. JMO..

"They've been told somebody murdered their daughter, but they can't prove it. That's how I felt. They needed to prove to me one way or another before I would accept anything, until they proved to me my daughter was dead."
After being dominated by fear and anger for the past two months, the LaMar family is now "possibly at the point where there won't be anything left to be afraid of," Klaas said.
Until Sierra's body is recovered, he said, his volunteers will continue with a scheduled search Wednesday "in hopes of still finding Sierra alive."

more@link
http://www.contracostatimes.com/crime-courts/ci_20677622/television-station-reports-21-year-old-detained-connection?source

Sierra's Mother Requests Halt to Volunteer Searches on Holiday

Posted: May 21, 2012 9:37 PM CDT
Updated: May 22, 2012 7:28 AM CDT
By Jasmine Viel - email

MORGAN HILL, Calif.- According to a news release from the Klaas Kids Foundation, Sierra LaMar's mother Marlene is asking the community to take time off from searching for her daughter over the Memorial Day weekend.

"We would like our searching family to spend time with their families this coming Memorial Day weekend," said Marlene LaMar. "Therefore a community search will not be scheduled for Saturday, May 26."

http://www.kionrightnow.com/story/18578011/sierras-mother-requests-halt-to-volunteer-searches-on-holiday

SweetT wrote:

Typo Positive wrote:Seems to me the last I heard was the mantra lately
of "She's alive", she's alive!".

That was certainly disingenuous of the Sheriff's office.
They should have been preparing for this announcement
rather than more of the disinfo, right down to the wire.

I am just guessing that LE tried to lead the suspect to not think they were onto him as they were probably hoping he would lead them to an alive Sierra somewhere, so them watching him 24/7 is not surprising. I am sure that after a while of him not going anywhere to FEED or check on Sierra along with DNA evidence in the vehicle they surmised she was no longer alive. JMO..

The 24/7 surveillance told me they didn't have to make a big
scene at the height of after work shopping time down at the Safeway.

Poor Sierra. I hope she gets justice.
It hasn't looked like that's what's going to happen though,
so far.

View more videos at: http://nbcbayarea.com.

http://twitter.com/#!/hotsteno

Alessandra_Deux wrote:

View more videos at: http://nbcbayarea.com.

Thanks for posting this one.

LE has not recovered a body according to this article.

Any idea where I can find the PC online? Thanks

NBC Bay Area Chief Investigative Reporter Comments on Sierra Lamar Arrest

May 22, 2012

View more videos at: http://nbcbayarea.com.

Antolin Garcia Torres is facing one count of murder and one count of kidnapping. Sources tell the NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit that the suspect has been under surveillance for several days.

Chickenbutt wrote:Any idea where I can find the PC online? Thanks

Try ktuv Chickenbutt.

Thank you

I saw this on another site posted by a member....I hope its ok to bring this comment over here, if not please delete but I thought it was interesting and possibly this same guy.

"This is interesting...when looking up the Safeway in Morgan Hill:

http://www.fugitive.com/2009/03/24/assault-morgan-hill-sketch-of-unknown-suspect-who-attacked-women-safeway/

On March 19, a 36-year-old Morgan Hill woman reported she was followed to her car in the parking lot of the East Dunne Avenue Safeway, shortly before 11 p.m. About 30 minutes later, police received a call that another woman was attacked in a Safeway parking lot, this time at the 235 Tennant Station location. The woman, a 46-year-old San Martin resident, told police the man used a stun gun on the back of her neck and head. The man fled when a passerby heard the woman’s screams.All three women offered similar descriptions of their attacker. Police are searching for a man in his late 20s or early 30s, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighing about 200 pounds. In each case the man also entered, or tried to enter, the victim’s car through the rear driver-side door in a Safeway parking lot after dark."

SweetT wrote:I saw this on another site posted by a member....I hope its ok to bring this comment over here, if not please delete but I thought it was interesting and possibly this same guy.

"This is interesting...when looking up the Safeway in Morgan Hill:

http://www.fugitive.com/2009/03/24/assault-morgan-hill-sketch-of-unknown-suspect-who-attacked-women-safeway/

On March 19, a 36-year-old Morgan Hill woman reported she was followed to her car in the parking lot of the East Dunne Avenue Safeway, shortly before 11 p.m. About 30 minutes later, police received a call that another woman was attacked in a Safeway parking lot, this time at the 235 Tennant Station location. The woman, a 46-year-old San Martin resident, told police the man used a stun gun on the back of her neck and head. The man fled when a passerby heard the woman’s screams.All three women offered similar descriptions of their attacker. Police are searching for a man in his late 20s or early 30s, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighing about 200 pounds. In each case the man also entered, or tried to enter, the victim’s car through the rear driver-side door in a Safeway parking lot after dark."

Interesting, 3/19.

I'm glad she is okay.
Thanks for posting this.

Where did this info come from?

Tamta wrote:

Chickenbutt wrote:Any idea where I can find the PC online? Thanks

Try ktuv Chickenbutt.

http://www.kron.com/

KRON will be covering it according to their page

Tamta wrote:

SweetT wrote:I saw this on another site posted by a member....I hope its ok to bring this comment over here, if not please delete but I thought it was interesting and possibly this same guy.

"This is interesting...when looking up the Safeway in Morgan Hill:

http://www.fugitive.com/2009/03/24/assault-morgan-hill-sketch-of-unknown-suspect-who-attacked-women-safeway/

On March 19, a 36-year-old Morgan Hill woman reported she was followed to her car in the parking lot of the East Dunne Avenue Safeway, shortly before 11 p.m. About 30 minutes later, police received a call that another woman was attacked in a Safeway parking lot, this time at the 235 Tennant Station location. The woman, a 46-year-old San Martin resident, told police the man used a stun gun on the back of her neck and head. The man fled when a passerby heard the woman’s screams.All three women offered similar descriptions of their attacker. Police are searching for a man in his late 20s or early 30s, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighing about 200 pounds. In each case the man also entered, or tried to enter, the victim’s car through the rear driver-side door in a Safeway parking lot after dark."

Interesting, 3/19.

I'm glad she is okay.
Thanks for posting this.

Where did this info come from?

I hope I can say without getting in trouble if not please delete but I found it at scared monkeys.

Tamta wrote:

SweetT wrote:I saw this on another site posted by a member....I hope its ok to bring this comment over here, if not please delete but I thought it was interesting and possibly this same guy.

"This is interesting...when looking up the Safeway in Morgan Hill:

http://www.fugitive.com/2009/03/24/assault-morgan-hill-sketch-of-unknown-suspect-who-attacked-women-safeway/

On March 19, a 36-year-old Morgan Hill woman reported she was followed to her car in the parking lot of the East Dunne Avenue Safeway, shortly before 11 p.m. About 30 minutes later, police received a call that another woman was attacked in a Safeway parking lot, this time at the 235 Tennant Station location. The woman, a 46-year-old San Martin resident, told police the man used a stun gun on the back of her neck and head. The man fled when a passerby heard the woman’s screams.All three women offered similar descriptions of their attacker. Police are searching for a man in his late 20s or early 30s, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighing about 200 pounds. In each case the man also entered, or tried to enter, the victim’s car through the rear driver-side door in a Safeway parking lot after dark."

Interesting, 3/19.

I'm glad she is okay.
Thanks for posting this.

Where did this info come from?

There was more and a sketch of the dude, I also have a link but not sure if I can post but it is easily found

Thank you Honey

News Conference Starting Right now!

http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/ktvu-live-news/vFXTT/

Tamta wrote:

SweetT wrote:I saw this on another site posted by a member....I hope its ok to bring this comment over here, if not please delete but I thought it was interesting and possibly this same guy.

"This is interesting...when looking up the Safeway in Morgan Hill:

http://www.fugitive.com/2009/03/24/assault-morgan-hill-sketch-of-unknown-suspect-who-attacked-women-safeway/

On March 19, a 36-year-old Morgan Hill woman reported she was followed to her car in the parking lot of the East Dunne Avenue Safeway, shortly before 11 p.m. About 30 minutes later, police received a call that another woman was attacked in a Safeway parking lot, this time at the 235 Tennant Station location. The woman, a 46-year-old San Martin resident, told police the man used a stun gun on the back of her neck and head. The man fled when a passerby heard the woman’s screams.All three women offered similar descriptions of their attacker. Police are searching for a man in his late 20s or early 30s, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighing about 200 pounds. In each case the man also entered, or tried to enter, the victim’s car through the rear driver-side door in a Safeway parking lot after dark."

Interesting, 3/19.

I'm glad she is okay.
Thanks for posting this.

Where did this info come from?

This event was NOT 3/19 of this year - this was from 2009 -- just to clarify. But it does not mean it's unrelated. When in fact, it may have escalated to murder over the last three years from mere abduction/assault.

This is interesting -- the website (which was started by two San Jose police officers in 1992) seems to be focused on reporting and alerting locals to crime in that area.

The article opens up with saying that an 18 yr old girl reported the same (also at a Safeway). She said the attack was that previous Thursday. The article was written 3/24/2009 which would make the attack on 3/19/2009.

Interesting that the perp used a stun gun, as several have surmised. But also interesting is that the events took place at a Safeway - not a residence.

And here we have Torres working at a Safeway.

I wonder if there is surveillance of Sierra regularly at Safeway.

Alessandra_Deux wrote:News Conference Starting Right now!

http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/ktvu-live-news/vFXTT/

Can anyone give a play-by-play if you have the time? I can't get this thing to load on my phone!

Alessandra_Deux wrote:News Conference Starting Right now!

http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/ktvu-live-news/vFXTT/

body still not found

direct evidence and circumstantial evidence leading them to believe she has been murdered.

perp not been forthcoming so they have no alibi to test

they have connected Torres to another assault on a girl through direct evidence - that leads them to believe he also did same to Sierra since his DNA is connected [this I believe to be related to Safeway cases]

Smith references 3 other assaults that they were checking for connections, 1 with taser gun, 1 with a knife, one where the girl was able to get to her car and lock doors and get away. They were able to connect him to one of those 3 cases. My speculation is that if any of those 3 cases were the 3 women reported at the Safeway store in 2009 and that is also where Torres works, then it would be reasonable to connet him to Sierra given his DNA on her belongings and his car spotted in those sensitive areas on that morning.

Someone just asked about the 3 assaults in Morgan Hill (the Safeway assaults) and Smith says however that the 3 assaults were never solved.

perp has prior felony arrest for an assault (which was not prosecuted) - not a sexual assault.