[DGMarie]

N.D. Police Tight-Lipped On Sjodin Investigation
Report: Police Find Blood Sample Matching N.D. Student's Blood Type

POSTED: 7:04 a.m. EST December 5, 2003
UPDATED: 5:43 p.m. EST December 5, 2003

Police in Grand Forks say the odds of finding a missing college student alive are fading with each passing day.

Grand Forks authorities spoke Friday afternoon about the latest developments in the search for missing University of North Dakota student Dru Sjodin.


DRU SJODIN

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Rodriguez file from Minn. Dept. of Corrections


North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem thanked the Sjodin family for their strength. While Kirby said there's no need for more volunteers, he did ask landowners in the area to get out and search their properties for any evidence that might lead authorities to Sjodin. He then reiterated a reward of $140,000 is being offered for any information leading to Dru.

Dru's father, Allan, made a brief statement thanking everyone involved.

"We'll find you, Doodles. No problem," said Sjodin.

Today's search for her has involved only police, and it's focused in an area north of East Grand Forks, Minn. Conditions are snowy and cold.

Her family, friends and volunteers had also been searching for her. But her father, who still believes she is alive, said those searches are being re-evaluated.

Meanwhile, investigators say they have found blood in kidnapping suspect Alfonso Rodriguez's car that matches Sjodin's blood type, a St. Paul newspaper reported.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press, citing sources close to the investigation, reported Thursday night on its Web site that a more extensive DNA analysis is under way following the preliminary analysis.

The Star Tribune newspaper of Minneapolis reported that police have tapes placing Rodriguez, a three-time convicted rapist who has been charged with kidnapping, in the mall parking lot from which authorities believe Sjodin, 22, was abducted Nov. 22.

According to a report on the Minneapolis Star Tribune Web site, Grand Forks police Sgt. Mike Hedlund said the tapes show the 50-year-old suspect in a Grand Forks mall parking lot at the same time Sjodin, 22, was leaving work at a store in the mall. Hedlund said that hopes of finding Sjodin alive fade with each passing day.

The Grand Forks Police Department is disputing the Star Tribune report. Hedlund said the newspaper misinterpreted what he said.

"We have probable cause to believe that Mr. Rodriguez was at Columbia Mall that day," Hedlund said. "I also said we have received surveillance tapes. I'm not saying what's on those videotapes."

The Star Tribune also reported that a knife sheath was found in the parking lot.

Another newspaper, the Grand Forks Herald, reported that Rodriguez didn't show up for work the day Sjodin went missing.

Rodriguez, a level 3 sex offender from nearby Crookston, Minn., is being held on a $5 million bond. That classification is reserved for those considered most likely to reoffend.

His attorney said on Thursday during the bond hearing that Rodriguez wants to stay behind bars for his own safety.

The prosecutor said there's little chance he would offer to cut a deal with Rodriguez in exchange for information to help search for Sjodin.

Police say Sjodin likely was on her cell phone when she was abducted. Her boyfriend told police he heard her scream "Oh my God!" before the line went dead. In a call from Sjodin's phone a couple hours later, the boyfriend heard only static and the sound of buttons being pushed.