AK - Samantha Koenig, 18, Anchorage, 1 Feb 2012 - #1

[bdawk20]

Also, I am not trying to accuse the boyfriend of anything, BUT it has bothered me from jump that the abduction took place right at closing, and by his own admission, he got held up at work and was late. If he wasn't late, then she is probably not missing right now. I have such a problem believing that his being late doesn't play into this somehow, unless the abductor got really lucky.

 

[z560]

Regarding her boyfriend and her dad, is it possible that they did call the police? We know that the owners of Common Grounds called the police after reviewing the tape and at that point it turned in to an abduction, but before that call it's possible the police were notified and were only treating it as a possible missing person.

It wouldn't have even been twenty-four hours that she was missing at that point so the police might have figured that she just took off and would turn up on her own soon.

In this article, the owner of Common Grounds says: ""We didn't even have a red flag," Duncan said. "We didn't know anything was wrong until we found out she hadn't been heard from." http://www.adn.com/2012/02/03/2298379/police-continue-search-for-missing.html

So it appears that they were alerted that she was missing, at which point they then reviewed the tape and saw that it was an abduction.

It could be that the police contacted Common Grounds after the victim's boyfriend or father filed a report. Or the boyfriend or father might have contacted Common Grounds on their own.

Either way, it does seem that they were concerned and likely took steps to find her before it was declared an abduction.

 

[bdawk20]

Regarding her boyfriend and her dad, is it possible that they did call the police? We know that the owners of Common Grounds called the police after reviewing the tape and at that point it turned in to an abduction, but before that call it's possible the police were notified and were only treating it as a possible missing person.

It wouldn't have even been twenty-four hours that she was missing at that point so the police might have figured that she just took off and would turn up on her own soon.

In this article, the owner of Common Grounds says: ""We didn't even have a red flag," Duncan said. "We didn't know anything was wrong until we found out she hadn't been heard from." http://www.adn.com/2012/02/03/2298379/police-continue-search-for-missing.html

So it appears that they were alerted that she was missing, at which point they then reviewed the tape and saw that it was an abduction.

It could be that the police contacted Common Grounds after the victim's boyfriend or father filed a report. Or the boyfriend or father might have contacted Common Grounds on their own.

Either way, it does seem that they were concerned and likely took steps to find her before it was declared an abduction.

Her dad was definitely concerned when she didn't come home, but nobody is too certain what the bf initially thought. Other posters have theorized that he may have been annoyed with her, maybe it was not that out of the ordinary for her to "bail" like that, so he wasn't particularly concerned, which is totally possible also.

 

[bdawk20]

The coffee stand reported Koenig as missing around noon of the next day. By the time police suspected an abduction, snow had covered up tracks and scents, Parker said.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_...ska-barista-samantha-koenig-increases-reward/

 

[iamnotagolem]

Her boyfriend should have been alarmed when she wasn't there to be picked up. The opener at the coffee shop should have been alarmed when the store was closed to protocol and Samantha's stuff was still there.

Her boyfriend was there presumably w/in 30 min of the abduction, if they had gotten started then, gotten the surveillance video, gotten into action, the abductor would have only had a 30 minute head start.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

The Latest on the Search for Abducted Barista Samantha Koenig

It has been 12 days since 18-year-old Samantha Koenig was abducted from her Midtown coffee stand.

[snip]

Police hope to speak with anyone who was in the area, near the coffee stand on Tudor, between the hours of 7 and 9 p.m.

“We're very hopeful that we'll be able to solve this case soon,” said APD Lieutenant Dave Parker.

[snip]

Parker said the department is not releasing the security video of the abduction out of concern that evidence on the tape would taint the prospective jury trial for the kidnapper.

More: http://www.ktva.com/home/top-stories/Koenig-Update-Feb-13-139259748.html

 

[GannyP]

Her boyfriend should have been alarmed when she wasn't there to be picked up. The opener at the coffee shop should have been alarmed when the store was closed to protocol and Samantha's stuff was still there.

Her boyfriend was there presumably w/in 30 min of the abduction, if they had gotten started then, gotten the surveillance video, gotten into action, the abductor would have only had a 30 minute head start.

I thought it had been determined that she did not leave her things at the coffee ship?

 

[z560]

I thought it had been determined that she did not leave her things at the coffee ship?

Yes there was a recent story where the people from the coffee shop explained that they were wrong about her leaving her things there.

Really, if I showed up and the place was a bit of a mess but otherwise okay (i.e., no signs of a struggle), I'd probably just assume that the person closing the night before flaked out and left a mess for the morning people to deal with. These are teenage women. I'm sure it's happened before.

 

[cluciano63]

The Latest on the Search for Abducted Barista Samantha Koenig

It has been 12 days since 18-year-old Samantha Koenig was abducted from her Midtown coffee stand.

[snip]

Police hope to speak with anyone who was in the area, near the coffee stand on Tudor, between the hours of 7 and 9 p.m.

“We're very hopeful that we'll be able to solve this case soon,” said APD Lieutenant Dave Parker.

[snip]

Parker said the department is not releasing the security video of the abduction out of concern that evidence on the tape would taint the prospective jury trial for the kidnapper.

More: http://www.ktva.com/home/top-stories/Koenig-Update-Feb-13-139259748.html

Gosh, if I had a dime for every time I've heard LE say they were very hopeful to solve the case soon...

 

[Wondergirl]

The Latest on the Search for Abducted Barista Samantha Koenig

It has been 12 days since 18-year-old Samantha Koenig was abducted from her Midtown coffee stand.

[snip]

Police hope to speak with anyone who was in the area, near the coffee stand on Tudor, between the hours of 7 and 9 p.m.

“We're very hopeful that we'll be able to solve this case soon,” said APD Lieutenant Dave Parker.

[snip]

Parker said the department is not releasing the security video of the abduction out of concern that evidence on the tape would taint the prospective jury trial for the kidnapper.

More: http://www.ktva.com/home/top-stories/Koenig-Update-Feb-13-139259748.html

BBM: Listen, no disrespect here, but, there isn't going to be a trial if they don't find Samantha and the kidnapper.


:banghead::banghead::banghead:

 

[Wondergirl]

What could possibly be in the video that would "taint the jury pool"?

Am I the village dunce? WTH?

I am just not getting this whole line about not releasing the video due to possible prosecution later. Isn't time of the essence here? Does LE know who the perp is? I am totally baffled by this.

Does anyone here remember another case where LE would not release a video of a suspect, in a kidnapping?

I am stumped.

 

[PHB]

Hi, first post.
I've seen very little coverage of this on national news. (im in ny). Ive read in relation to this case that anchorage has tons of these little coffee shacks. Maybe im a bit paranoid, but does it seem wise to staff a cash-only business w/ a 100 pound girl working alone? The business owners, i think, ought to provide the workers w/ maybe a panic button, like the "ive fallen and i cant get up" wearable button. Or mace? Also AK has open carry, right?
It just seems to me that this could have been prevented. What does everyone think?
Heres hoping for her safe return.

 

[Joe Friday]

What could possibly be in the video that would "taint the jury pool"?

Am I the village dunce? WTH?

I am just not getting this whole line about not releasing the video due to possible prosecution later. Isn't time of the essence here? Does LE know who the perp is? I am totally baffled by this.

Does anyone here remember another case where LE would not release a video of a suspect, in a kidnapping?

I am stumped.

I think Anchorage would be the best place in the world to rob a bank if you wanted to do so. You wouldn't need to worry about your picture being released to the public because it may taint your jury pool. The chances of you getting caught would be that much less if no one is going to see the video.

LE's latest update sure makes it sound like they are certain Sam's abductor will stand trial for kidnapping. They haven't said murderer yet so I take it that LE thinks she is still alive.

JMO

 

[dillysmom11]

Wait, what?!? According to that last update other cars were in and out of the parking lot and may have seen something?

Good grief this case is weird. Where the... is Samantha?

 

[z560]

Hi, first post.
I've seen very little coverage of this on national news. (im in ny). Ive read in relation to this case that anchorage has tons of these little coffee shacks. Maybe im a bit paranoid, but does it seem wise to staff a cash-only business w/ a 100 pound girl working alone? The business owners, i think, ought to provide the workers w/ maybe a panic button, like the "ive fallen and i cant get up" wearable button. Or mace? Also AK has open carry, right?
It just seems to me that this could have been prevented. What does everyone think?
Heres hoping for her safe return.

At one point it was reported that there IS a panic button and alarm in that coffee shack.

http://www.adn.com/2012/02/08/2307318/police-report-some-progress-in.html

I guess we can assume that she didn't push it for some reason. Maybe she didn't have the opportunity to?

 

[dillysmom11]

And PHB... welcome!!!

 

[CanManEh]

Going on what the police said about why they would not show the public the video . Too me that says that they know what he took off in like the vehicle but maybe its a work truck and its used by alot of workers and from the back it looks like whatever the guys name they think it is because of the truck or whatever vehicle and from the tape it will make the public way one sided that he works there he looks like that but yet you cant link him to it because u cant see his face and its just to averege a description and too many people have access to this vehicle or more that are the same ..Sorry I don't exsplain that to well I hope maybe someone can understand what i mean but maybe wrd it better...and again its just a thought.

 

[cluciano63]

I can't remember a case where LE was more worried about a potential jury pool sometime in the distant future more than a possibly live victim...

 

[MagnoliaMom]

Sorry if this has already been posted. This could be so unrelated but with the vigilante talk and concerns of tainting a jury...I was concerned it might be important.

This is from an sexual assault in August 2011 in Anchorage.
http://www.ktva.com/home/outbound-xml-feeds/Yellow-Cab-Driver-Arrested-For-Sexual-Assault-Police-Say-There-Could-Be-More-Victims-128204848.html

Nwokorie’s posted his $5,000 cash/corporate bail and was released shortly after he was arrested, police said.

http://www.ktuu.com/news/ktuu-multiple-women-tell-apd-yellow-cab-driver-sexually-assaulted-them-20110824,0,1438650.story?track=rss

The Anchorage Police Department says multiple women have stepped forward claiming a Yellow Cab driver sexually assaulted them.

KTUU requested a copy of the bail hearing, but was informed by APD that it had been sealed by a judge for 60 days. Because of the potential for other claims coming into APD the specific information from the bail hearing that has case specific facts and details that could taint other cases, it is not being released, according to lead investigator Det. John Vandervalk.

BBM there is that "taint" word...
http://www.adn.com/2011/08/31/2041649/rape-suspects-bail-raised-to-50000.html

An Anchorage cab driver accused of sexually assaulting a passenger -- a case generated a public outcry -- was handcuffed and taken to jail on Wednesday after a judge raised his bail to $50,000.

Anchorage District Judge Bob Linton also set a condition that Chidiebere Norman Nwokorie, 43, be monitored by a court-approved third party.

September 2011
http://www.adn.com/2011/09/12/2064153/assembly-sets-hearing-on-cab-licensing.html

Alaska Yellow Cab driver Chidiebere Nwokorie is accused of assaulting a customer Aug. 21 at a cab service lot.

He still has a license to drive a cab because the city can't suspend his chauffeur's license unless he's convicted, said city transportation inspector Brent Fraser. Traini says that's wrong.

Then in December 2011 - Same guy? Different guy?
http://articles.ktuu.com/2011-12-09/apd_30500690

According to Anchorage Police, a 17-year-old female was driving her boyfriend to a local bar to pick up a friend.

The boyfriend went inside the bar while the female waited in the vehicle. An unknown male armed with a handgun pulled open the passenger door, got inside the vehicle, and told her to drive.

More at the story.

So do they use that "taint" word a lot there? Is this guy out on bond? Could a cab be seen on the video?

 

[bdawk20]

At one point it was reported that there IS a panic button and alarm in that coffee shack.

http://www.adn.com/2012/02/08/2307318/police-report-some-progress-in.html

I guess we can assume that she didn't push it for some reason. Maybe she didn't have the opportunity to?

Or maybe, since it seem the abductor was aware of the security camera inside, he was also aware of the panic button, and immediately warned her against using it? Knowing that security camera was there seems to me that he almost had to either have been inside before or knows someone that has been inside and was able to get that information from them somehow.