AZ - Gabriel Johnson, 8 months, 26 Dec 2009 - last seen in Texas - #18

[NewMommy09]

WELCOME to Websleuths Boo Scout. Glad to have you.

 

[pghbrandi]

WELCOME boo scout!

 

[BeanE]

Welcome to Websleuths, Boo Scout. Good to have you here!

 

[BeanE]

SA Police Chief Bill McManus hopeful Baby Gabriel still alive
woaitv.com
Last Update: 10:07 am

More extensive interview with Chief. Less hopeful. The video includes info from Tempe PD that is not included in the written article.

Article: http://www.woai.com/news/local/stor...eful-Baby-Gabriel/tPKoEF7Bckm2kgjxjd0rFA.cspx

Video: http://www.woai.com/mediacenter/[email protected]&navCatId=5

 

[Kamille]

I am brand new, so forgive me if I don't get this posting exactly right.

Instead of swiped could the fake ID have been scanned? A lot of places use those small ID scanners now to save a person's id.

Swiping at a hotel would seem to indicate a credit card. I've never had a hotel swipe my driver's license. But then again, I always pay with credit cards. Swiping a picture ID could be standard practice if paying with cash.

Thanks for all the work on here...I've been doing a lot of reading of previous posts.

Also I believe Today Show segment will be on Saturday morning.

Welcome Boo Scout!

Here is the information from the NG blog that indicates what this hotel clerk has said.

As investigators open a missing persons case for Gabriel Johnson in San Antonio, we are learning more about mother Elizabeth Johnson’s possible movements during her time in San Antonio from a hotel clerk who checked Johnson into one of the hotels. The clerk, who wishes to remain anonymous, says Johnson checked in under a different name and believes Johnson had a Texas ID.

The clerk told us the hotel swipes identifications and the computer puts the information on the screen for the employee, but in order to look up Johnson’s information they need the alleged alias that Johnson used to check in. That name has not been revealed. The clerk says they never saw Elizabeth Johnson with a baby, and Johnson even allegedly brought in a baby car seat and was holding it behind the desk so the clerk couldn’t tell if the baby was inside. The clerk says the only other time they saw Johnson was when Johnson needed some towels. We also learn from the clerk that there is a dumpster in the back of the hotel and is allegedly emptied twice a week. Cops have spoken to the clerk, who has relayed all of this information.

http://nancygrace.blogs.cnn.com/2010/01/13/hotel-clerk-says-elizabeth-johnson-used-different-name/

So according to this clerk, the hotel does "swipe" identification. And I think we've established that she checked in the Homegate with her own ID, so I am assuming this clerk is from the Quality Inn.

 

[DaneBramage]

What about non-driver IDs? Here in AL they issue ID cards for non-drivers They look exactly like DLs to me.

 

[BeanE]

Welcome Boo Scout!

Here is the information from the NG blog that indicates what this hotel clerk has said.

As investigators open a missing persons case for Gabriel Johnson in San Antonio, we are learning more about mother Elizabeth Johnson’s possible movements during her time in San Antonio from a hotel clerk who checked Johnson into one of the hotels. The clerk, who wishes to remain anonymous, says Johnson checked in under a different name and believes Johnson had a Texas ID.

The clerk told us the hotel swipes identifications and the computer puts the information on the screen for the employee, but in order to look up Johnson’s information they need the alleged alias that Johnson used to check in. That name has not been revealed. The clerk says they never saw Elizabeth Johnson with a baby, and Johnson even allegedly brought in a baby car seat and was holding it behind the desk so the clerk couldn’t tell if the baby was inside. The clerk says the only other time they saw Johnson was when Johnson needed some towels. We also learn from the clerk that there is a dumpster in the back of the hotel and is allegedly emptied twice a week. Cops have spoken to the clerk, who has relayed all of this information.

http://nancygrace.blogs.cnn.com/2010/01/13/hotel-clerk-says-elizabeth-johnson-used-different-name/

So according to this clerk, the hotel does "swipe" identification. And I think we've established that she checked in the Homegate with her own ID, so I am assuming this clerk is from the Quality Inn.

I think it was Homegate:

NIDENTIFIED MALE: A San Antonio hotel clerk who checked Gabriel`s mother, Elizabeth Johnson, into one of the hotels claims Johnson checked in under a different name.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I recognize the picture, but that was not the name she used. That`s why I didn`t say anything earlier because I had saw it — I was like, Wow, it looks exactly like a girl I checked in.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The clerk believes Johnson had a Texas ID, but what name Johnson used remains unclear at this point.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It wasn`t Elizabeth Johnson.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Where was the ID from? What state?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I believe it was Texas.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The clerk says Johnson checked in between December 20 and 26th and the clerk never saw Johnson with little Gabriel. Johnson did allegedly bring in a baby carseat, but was holding it behind the desk so the clerk couldn`t tell if Gabriel was inside the carseat.

snip

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We`re told that Johnson stayed at this hotel near the airport sometime between December 20th and the 26th. The clerk remembers Johnson checking in, and she may have had the baby with her sitting in the carseat. But one thing is for sure. He says Elizabeth Johnson did not use her own name.

 

[passionflower]

JUST heard on HLN.........no link yet............landfill is sectioned off now and dig is to begin now in 1 section!!!

 

[Kamille]

I think it was Homegate:

NIDENTIFIED MALE: A San Antonio hotel clerk who checked Gabriel`s mother, Elizabeth Johnson, into one of the hotels claims Johnson checked in under a different name.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I recognize the picture, but that was not the name she used. That`s why I didn`t say anything earlier because I had saw it — I was like, Wow, it looks exactly like a girl I checked in.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The clerk believes Johnson had a Texas ID, but what name Johnson used remains unclear at this point.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It wasn`t Elizabeth Johnson.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Where was the ID from? What state?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I believe it was Texas.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The clerk says Johnson checked in between December 20 and 26th and the clerk never saw Johnson with little Gabriel. Johnson did allegedly bring in a baby carseat, but was holding it behind the desk so the clerk couldn`t tell if Gabriel was inside the carseat.

snip

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We`re told that Johnson stayed at this hotel near the airport sometime between December 20th and the 26th. The clerk remembers Johnson checking in, and she may have had the baby with her sitting in the carseat. But one thing is for sure. He says Elizabeth Johnson did not use her own name.

Well BeanE, as with most of NG's reporting (or rather her staff reporters) things around this hotel clerk are as clear as mud. You'll also notice they were still talking about the Homegate by the airport. The video posted today about the Smith's new lawyer once again showed a clip of the Homegate Fiesta Park and yet all clips showing the Homegate on NG that I have seen so far show the San Pedro one. I think what happens is that someone in the field relays information to the studio and then those reporters try to blend it with what they think they know and it all gets jumbled up. It's a disgrace really. This is a serious case and a child is missing. They should all be ashamed at the way they've reported it.

So I am assuming that one of their field reporters who was actually in SA spoke to this hotel clerk. Now unless they spoke to a clerk at the Homegate on San Pedro which apparently has nothing to do with this case, and that clerk gave them false information for his 15 minutes of fame, then I would have to assume that the field reporter did in fact speak to a clerk at a hotel that she checked into using a fake ID. And I believe that it has been reported that LE found this ID with her in Miami. So they would know the name she was using. And if they checked with hotels in the area to see if that name showed up in their system, then they would know which hotel she checked into using the fake ID. From what we have gathered so far, that appears to be the second hotel, which would be the Quality Inn since we know she spent the bulk of the week at the Homegate as verified by the photos. Although EJ herself is denying ever checking into another hotel using fake ID and only checked into the Homegate using her own ID.

Like I said, clear as mud. :banghead:

 

[BeanE]

Well BeanE, as with most of NG's reporting (or rather her staff reporters) things around this hotel clerk are as clear as mud. You'll also notice they were still talking about the Homegate by the airport. The video posted today about the Smith's new lawyer once again showed a clip of the Homegate Fiesta Park and yet all clips showing the Homegate on NG that I have seen so far show the San Pedro one. I think what happens is that someone in the field relays information to the studio and then those reporters try to blend it with what they think they know and it all gets jumbled up. It's a disgrace really. This is a serious case and a child is missing. They should all be ashamed at the way they've reported it.

So I am assuming that one of their field reporters who was actually in SA spoke to this hotel clerk. Now unless they spoke to a clerk at the Homegate on San Pedro which apparently has nothing to do with this case, and that clerk gave them false information for his 15 minutes of fame, then I would have to assume that the field reporter did in fact speak to a clerk at a hotel that she checked into using a fake ID. And I believe that it has been reported that LE found this ID with her in Miami. So they would know the name she was using. And if they checked with hotels in the area to see if that name showed up in their system, then they would know which hotel she checked into using the fake ID. From what we have gathered so far, that appears to be the second hotel, which would be the Quality Inn since we know she spent the bulk of the week at the Homegate as verified by the photos. Although EJ herself is denying ever checking into another hotel using fake ID and only checked into the Homegate using her own ID.

Like I said, clear as mud. :banghead:

BBM. You can say that again lol.

 

[BeanE]

JUST heard on HLN.........no link yet............landfill is sectioned off now and dig is to begin now in 1 section!!!

Now as in today?

 

[NewMommy09]

What about non-driver IDs? Here in AL they issue ID cards for non-drivers They look exactly like DLs to me.

I have both a TX DL and a TX ID card, they are the same. Magnetic strip and all.

 

[Chemeria]

Now as in today?

I dont see anything about them being searched yet... did someone find something?

 

[KellyConQueso]

Welcome Boo Scout!

Here is the information from the NG blog that indicates what this hotel clerk has said.

As investigators open a missing persons case for Gabriel Johnson in San Antonio, we are learning more about mother Elizabeth Johnson’s possible movements during her time in San Antonio from a hotel clerk who checked Johnson into one of the hotels. The clerk, who wishes to remain anonymous, says Johnson checked in under a different name and believes Johnson had a Texas ID.

The clerk told us the hotel swipes identifications and the computer puts the information on the screen for the employee, but in order to look up Johnson’s information they need the alleged alias that Johnson used to check in. That name has not been revealed. The clerk says they never saw Elizabeth Johnson with a baby, and Johnson even allegedly brought in a baby car seat and was holding it behind the desk so the clerk couldn’t tell if the baby was inside. The clerk says the only other time they saw Johnson was when Johnson needed some towels. We also learn from the clerk that there is a dumpster in the back of the hotel and is allegedly emptied twice a week. Cops have spoken to the clerk, who has relayed all of this information.

http://nancygrace.blogs.cnn.com/2010/01/13/hotel-clerk-says-elizabeth-johnson-used-different-name/

So according to this clerk, the hotel does "swipe" identification. And I think we've established that she checked in the Homegate with her own ID, so I am assuming this clerk is from the Quality Inn.

I actually don't have too much faith that this hotel employee is telling the truth. Maybe it is company policy not to allow anyone to register without an ID but he made an exception for the pretty girl batting her eyelashes at him. He trying to cover his butt. EJ has denied she used a fake ID so obviously LE did not find one on her when arrested. If the ID was so good, and obviously it would have to pretty good to be swiped (although the equipment to make a swipable stripe can be purchased by anyone, it's not exactly cheap), so why would she ditch it if she wanted to start a new life?

BTW - in Texas, the only info on the stripe is basically the same info that is visible on your DL plus a physical description. Not all that many businesses are allowed to swipe your card - bars and hotels are allowed, retail stores are not. The stripe is mainly intended for LE use. Also when a hotel/bar swipes your license, it doesn't do a crosscheck with LE for the validity of the ID - it's just a really quick way to get all your info.

 

[STEADFAST]

I actually don't have too much faith that this hotel employee is telling the truth. Maybe it is company policy not to allow anyone to register without an ID but he made an exception for the pretty girl batting her eyelashes at him. He trying to cover his butt. EJ has denied she used a fake ID so obviously LE did not find one on her when arrested. If the ID was so good, and obviously it would have to pretty good to be swiped (although the equipment to make a swipable stripe can be purchased by anyone, it's not exactly cheap), so why would she ditch it if she wanted to start a new life?

BTW - in Texas, the only info on the stripe is basically the same info that is visible on your DL plus a physical description. Not all that many businesses are allowed to swipe your card - bars and hotels are allowed, retail stores are not. The stripe is mainly intended for LE use. Also when a hotel/bar swipes your license, it doesn't do a crosscheck with LE for the validity of the ID - it's just a really quick way to get all your info.

I agree with everything except that a magnetic stripe maker is cheap. You can get one for a couple hundred, new, and even cheaper some places. [ame="http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&source=hp&q=magnetic+stripe+writer&btnG=Google+Search"]magnetic stripe writer - Google Search[/ame]

ETA I have never had a hotel swipe my driver's license.

 

[Chemeria]

I agree with everything except that a magnetic stripe maker is cheap. You can get one for a couple hundred, new, and even cheaper some places. magnetic stripe writer - Google Search

ETA I have never had a hotel swipe my driver's license.

The ones around me do swipe your driver's license if you don't pay in cash or if you look under age. I think its up to the clerk at the time otherwise. But if you are using credit card they do take your license.

 

[vjlaw]

What is required to check into a hostel? Have any news reporters talked to the clerk at the hostel? What did she use to check in there? I thought she was checked in as Elizabeth Jones. But was it a Texas ID or something else?

 

[LadyBug99]

From the very beginning I've believed that Gabriel was alive and was truly being held hidden somewhere, but now I just don't know.

Wouldn't the couple holding him fear the repercussions? Why haven't they given him up yet?

Why is EJ's lawyer not pressing her to come forward with the truth. If she gave up the location of G, I'm sure a plea bargain could be worked out where she would not be doing 20 years for kidnapping, so why not talk?

I wish that LE would just charge TS & JS already, maybe they would finally crack and tell the truth about what they know!!! Or now that they have a lawyer, maybe just maybe they are in process of coming forward with information? With help of their new big shot lawyer?

I thought by now he would have been found. Someone would have come forward! This case drives me crazy and I cannot follow it as closely as you guys! It's too frustrating! You guys do such great work here...A million thanks is not enough!!!

I can only hope that whatever "plan" LE is working on will bring this beautiful baby boy home....like yesterday!

 

[not_my_kids]

I often forget how poor MI is, in comparison.

The swipe thing was a mystery to me. Here, we don't swipe...none of the businesses can afford that kind of equipment, they just type in your ID number and log it for future reference. So thanks for explaining that, I had no idea.

 

[debloree]

I have checked into hotels/motels and paid cash. They always required my drivers licesnse. Alot of them scan it or write down the DL I.D. This has been my experience in most states in the midwest.