MN - Jacob Wetterling, 11, St. Joseph, 22 Oct 1989 - #16

[emeraldine]

It is indeed wrong.

After searching, I'm seeing that my posted link is the only source that gives 2004 as the year the art student came forward - considering that both the commenters here and several other articles I'm finding are saying it happened in the beginning(by the end of Oct. '89), the link should be disregarded if anyone else besides myself thought it was a credible source.

They probably mixed up the art student with Kevin. If Kevin's story is actually verified, I also wonder about the "hows" that made that happen.

That is seriously a crazy story.

I still see zero on the maroon car, unless the maroon car was the red car...I can see how the details can lead to confusion.

 

[human]

Kevin met a US Marshall at a party and told him.

Maybe you can google those terms and the story will come up? Or does someone have a link?

 

[emeraldine]

Apparently he tried to contact authorities right after the abduction and they sort of brushed him off?

Whatever inconsistencies I've seen in what he's said, and whatever details may be a bit hard to believe, that's pretty terrible if it's true. A lead is a lead.

Of course, it seems to have taken them forever to conduct searches on POIs as well.

 

[emeraldine]

...also, it must be said that I never said I didn't know how Kevin ended up giving his information to LE in 2003.

I said that I wondered how they managed to verify everything he told them.

I appreciate the help, though.

 

[shergal]

It is indeed wrong.

After searching, I'm seeing that my posted link is the only source that gives 2004 as the year the art student came forward - considering that both the commenters here and several other articles I'm finding are saying it happened in the beginning(by the end of Oct. '89), the link should be disregarded if anyone else besides myself thought it was a credible source.

They probably mixed up the art student with Kevin. If Kevin's story is actually verified, I also wonder about the "hows" that made that happen.

That is seriously a crazy story.

I still see zero on the maroon car, unless the maroon car was the red car...I can see how the details can lead to confusion.

There was also a maroon car. There were 3 cars LE was looking for originally in 1989, because residents said they saw these cars on roads near Tom Thumb or near the DelWin Ballroom that weren't regularly seen around there. ELOC mentions them in his book on pp. 103 and 124-125. (If you haven't read the book yet "It Can't happen Here" - you can order a kindle version on amazon, or get a hard copy through his Searching for Jacob fb page.)

Here is an excerpt from the book:

"By Thanksgiving of 1989, the FBI issued a plea for more information on three cars and drivers that were seen in Jacob's neighborhood prior to his kidnapping. Sketches of two of the drivers were released. Witnesses were unable to provide a good description of the third man, so no sketch of that man was done. “After intensive investigation in that neighborhood, these vehicles are ones that were pointed out as not fitting in,” said Byron Gigler. “We're very anxious to identify the drivers of the vehicles.” (47)

The first sketch was of a man with a full, dark-colored beard and wearing a cap. Numerous witnesses saw him on 90th Avenue about six weeks prior to the kidnapping. The car he was driving was described as older and maroon in color. It had rectangular taillights, similar to a 1976 Pontiac Catalina. The back end the car was jacked up. Two witnesses reported seeing the vehicle parked on the street at night, and both times the vehicle left when someone approached it. The car was also seen in that area once during the daytime. (68)

The second car was seen on 95th Avenue near Seventh Avenue SE in a neighborhood that was across a field and west of the scene of the abduction. It was a small, red car with white trim. It was believed to be an older car about the size of an American Motors Pacer or Gremlin and its rear tires were either oversized or the back end was elevated. The car had dealer logo plates on the back license plate holder and the logos had red and blue lettering on a white background. The driver had medium length hair and wore glasses and a cap. (69)

The third car being sought was a red-orange colored station wagon that was also possibly jacked up in the rear. It was seen either October 21st or 22nd near the Wetterling home on Kiwi Court. A similar car had been seen on 91st Avenue on October 22nd at about the time of the abduction. It may have been one of several vehicles that passed the boys on their way to the Tom Thumb store that night. As of late November 1989, authorities had been able to locate one of those cars. The boys reportedly saw no cars on their way back home from the store." (70) pg. 124-25

"Investigators ultimately ruled out the suspicious red car that had been seen in St. Joseph. An art student from St. Cloud State heard that authorities were looking for a small red car so he came forward, explaining that he owned a red car and had been in the area multiple times in recent weeks looking for scenes to sketch. Investigators ruled him out of involvement." (17) Pg. 103

 

[BethAnn777]

There was also a maroon car. There were 3 cars LE was looking for originally in 1989, because residents said they saw these cars on roads near Tom Thumb or near the DelWin Ballroom that weren't regularly seen around there. ELOC mentions them in his book on pp. 103 and 124-125. (If you haven't read the book yet "It Can't happen Here" - you can order a kindle version on amazon, or get a hard copy through his Searching for Jacob fb page.)

Here is an excerpt from the book:

"By Thanksgiving of 1989, the FBI issued a plea for more information on three cars and drivers that were seen in Jacob's neighborhood prior to his kidnapping. Sketches of two of the drivers were released. Witnesses were unable to provide a good description of the third man, so no sketch of that man was done. “After intensive investigation in that neighborhood, these vehicles are ones that were pointed out as not fitting in,” said Byron Gigler. “We're very anxious to identify the drivers of the vehicles.” (47)

The first sketch was of a man with a full, dark-colored beard and wearing a cap. Numerous witnesses saw him on 90th Avenue about six weeks prior to the kidnapping. The car he was driving was described as older and maroon in color. It had rectangular taillights, similar to a 1976 Pontiac Catalina. The back end the car was jacked up. Two witnesses reported seeing the vehicle parked on the street at night, and both times the vehicle left when someone approached it. The car was also seen in that area once during the daytime. (68)

The second car was seen on 95th Avenue near Seventh Avenue SE in a neighborhood that was across a field and west of the scene of the abduction. It was a small, red car with white trim. It was believed to be an older car about the size of an American Motors Pacer or Gremlin and its rear tires were either oversized or the back end was elevated. The car had dealer logo plates on the back license plate holder and the logos had red and blue lettering on a white background. The driver had medium length hair and wore glasses and a cap. (69)

The third car being sought was a red-orange colored station wagon that was also possibly jacked up in the rear. It was seen either October 21st or 22nd near the Wetterling home on Kiwi Court. A similar car had been seen on 91st Avenue on October 22nd at about the time of the abduction. It may have been one of several vehicles that passed the boys on their way to the Tom Thumb store that night. As of late November 1989, authorities had been able to locate one of those cars. The boys reportedly saw no cars on their way back home from the store." (70) pg. 124-25

"Investigators ultimately ruled out the suspicious red car that had been seen in St. Joseph. An art student from St. Cloud State heard that authorities were looking for a small red car so he came forward, explaining that he owned a red car and had been in the area multiple times in recent weeks looking for scenes to sketch. Investigators ruled him out of involvement." (17) Pg. 103

Was it common for the back end of vehicles to be jacked up or elevated in late 80s? How odd that all three cars share that commonality.

 

[nmogren]

Was it common for the back end of vehicles to be jacked up or elevated in late 80s? How odd that all three cars share that commonality.

Yes, quite common.


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[Sasquatch321]

What has LE done publically since naming DR a POI in 2010?

 

[thenotebook]

Does Stearns County have a full-time investigator assigned to Jacob's case? Like, actively working the case? Or are the boxes just sitting around

 

[bucshunter]

There was also a maroon car. There were 3 cars LE was looking for originally in 1989, because residents said they saw these cars on roads near Tom Thumb or near the DelWin Ballroom that weren't regularly seen around there. ELOC mentions them in his book on pp. 103 and 124-125. (If you haven't read the book yet "It Can't happen Here" - you can order a kindle version on amazon, or get a hard copy through his Searching for Jacob fb page.)

Here is an excerpt from the book:

"By Thanksgiving of 1989, the FBI issued a plea for more information on three cars and drivers that were seen in Jacob's neighborhood prior to his kidnapping. Sketches of two of the drivers were released. Witnesses were unable to provide a good description of the third man, so no sketch of that man was done. “After intensive investigation in that neighborhood, these vehicles are ones that were pointed out as not fitting in,” said Byron Gigler. “We're very anxious to identify the drivers of the vehicles.” (47)

The first sketch was of a man with a full, dark-colored beard and wearing a cap. Numerous witnesses saw him on 90th Avenue about six weeks prior to the kidnapping. The car he was driving was described as older and maroon in color. It had rectangular taillights, similar to a 1976 Pontiac Catalina. The back end the car was jacked up. Two witnesses reported seeing the vehicle parked on the street at night, and both times the vehicle left when someone approached it. The car was also seen in that area once during the daytime. (68)

The second car was seen on 95th Avenue near Seventh Avenue SE in a neighborhood that was across a field and west of the scene of the abduction. It was a small, red car with white trim. It was believed to be an older car about the size of an American Motors Pacer or Gremlin and its rear tires were either oversized or the back end was elevated. The car had dealer logo plates on the back license plate holder and the logos had red and blue lettering on a white background. The driver had medium length hair and wore glasses and a cap. (69)

The third car being sought was a red-orange colored station wagon that was also possibly jacked up in the rear. It was seen either October 21st or 22nd near the Wetterling home on Kiwi Court. A similar car had been seen on 91st Avenue on October 22nd at about the time of the abduction. It may have been one of several vehicles that passed the boys on their way to the Tom Thumb store that night. As of late November 1989, authorities had been able to locate one of those cars. The boys reportedly saw no cars on their way back home from the store." (70) pg. 124-25

"Investigators ultimately ruled out the suspicious red car that had been seen in St. Joseph. An art student from St. Cloud State heard that authorities were looking for a small red car so he came forward, explaining that he owned a red car and had been in the area multiple times in recent weeks looking for scenes to sketch. Investigators ruled him out of involvement." (17) Pg. 103

So two cars never ruled out? Hmmmm

 

[Sasquatch321]

why cant we prove by now, with the help of le, if Jacob was taken by a vehicle or not? it doesn't have to accuse, it just publically solves forensic evidence.

 

[human]

Was it common for the back end of vehicles to be jacked up or elevated in late 80s? How odd that all three cars share that commonality.

I was thinking that exact thing! Sounds like teenagers. I find it hard to believe an adult male would like that look and if one is a pervert, I would think a look like that would be one that they would not want. Calling attention to themselves.

 

[ELOCsoul]

So two cars never ruled out? Hmmmm

Maybe they were ruled out, we don't know. I do think though, that if they were of huge interest, that LE would have asked for help repeatedly. There is no guarantee that LE would provide updates on such things if they did rule them out, especially if revealing so would potentially discourage new tips.

Similar deal with the creepy man at the Tom Thumb..if indeed he was the man from Pleasant acres, and I'm not sure that he was, only speculation on my part...LE would not come out and say it's ok to stop looking for the creepy man from the Tom Thumb...

 

[bucshunter]

Maybe they were ruled out, we don't know. I do think though, that if they were of huge interest, that LE would have asked for help repeatedly. There is no guarantee that LE would provide updates on such things if they did rule them out, especially if revealing so would potentially discourage new tips.

Similar deal with the creepy man at the Tom Thumb..if indeed he was the man from Pleasant acres, and I'm not sure that he was, only speculation on my part...LE would not come out and say it's ok to stop looking for the creepy man from the Tom Thumb...

The frustration is that the crime scene seems to have been totally compromised. Very disappointing

 

[nmogren]

The frustration is that the crime scene seems to have been totally compromised. Very disappointing

We don't know that at all. We have never seen crime scene photos. LE was on the scene from 10pm and FBI from midnight.



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[Jewelia]

Does Stearns County have a full-time investigator assigned to Jacob's case? Like, actively working the case? Or are the boxes just sitting around

Yes. There are investigators on the case.

 

[human]

Does Stearns County have a full-time investigator assigned to Jacob's case? Like, actively working the case? Or are the boxes just sitting around

There is a quote somewhere where they are always looking at it, whatver that means.

That is how in 2010 they came uo with the search of the R property

 

[chaplain1]

There is a quote somewhere where they are always looking at it, whatver that means.

That is how in 2010 they came uo with the search of the R property

If you ask them, this is their answer

 

[shergal]

Does Stearns County have a full-time investigator assigned to Jacob's case? Like, actively working the case? Or are the boxes just sitting around

The investigation now lies in the hands of Stearns County Capt. Pam Jensen and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Special Agent Ken McDonald.
http://archive.sctimes.com/article/20091018/NEWS01/110180047/Wetterling-case-still-gets-leads

 

[emeraldine]

There was also a maroon car. There were 3 cars LE was looking for originally in 1989, because residents said they saw these cars on roads near Tom Thumb or near the DelWin Ballroom that weren't regularly seen around there. ELOC mentions them in his book on pp. 103 and 124-125. (If you haven't read the book yet "It Can't happen Here" - you can order a kindle version on amazon, or get a hard copy through his Searching for Jacob fb page.)

Here is an excerpt from the book:

"By Thanksgiving of 1989, the FBI issued a plea for more information on three cars and drivers that were seen in Jacob's neighborhood prior to his kidnapping. Sketches of two of the drivers were released. Witnesses were unable to provide a good description of the third man, so no sketch of that man was done. “After intensive investigation in that neighborhood, these vehicles are ones that were pointed out as not fitting in,” said Byron Gigler. “We're very anxious to identify the drivers of the vehicles.” (47)

The first sketch was of a man with a full, dark-colored beard and wearing a cap. Numerous witnesses saw him on 90th Avenue about six weeks prior to the kidnapping. The car he was driving was described as older and maroon in color. It had rectangular taillights, similar to a 1976 Pontiac Catalina. The back end the car was jacked up. Two witnesses reported seeing the vehicle parked on the street at night, and both times the vehicle left when someone approached it. The car was also seen in that area once during the daytime. (68)

The second car was seen on 95th Avenue near Seventh Avenue SE in a neighborhood that was across a field and west of the scene of the abduction. It was a small, red car with white trim. It was believed to be an older car about the size of an American Motors Pacer or Gremlin and its rear tires were either oversized or the back end was elevated. The car had dealer logo plates on the back license plate holder and the logos had red and blue lettering on a white background. The driver had medium length hair and wore glasses and a cap. (69)

The third car being sought was a red-orange colored station wagon that was also possibly jacked up in the rear. It was seen either October 21st or 22nd near the Wetterling home on Kiwi Court. A similar car had been seen on 91st Avenue on October 22nd at about the time of the abduction. It may have been one of several vehicles that passed the boys on their way to the Tom Thumb store that night. As of late November 1989, authorities had been able to locate one of those cars. The boys reportedly saw no cars on their way back home from the store." (70) pg. 124-25

"Investigators ultimately ruled out the suspicious red car that had been seen in St. Joseph. An art student from St. Cloud State heard that authorities were looking for a small red car so he came forward, explaining that he owned a red car and had been in the area multiple times in recent weeks looking for scenes to sketch. Investigators ruled him out of involvement." (17) Pg. 103

Thank you for posting all these descriptions. How crazy is it that all the cars seem to have been raised up(all red, too)? I'd think it was something that was done due to heavy snowfall, if they weren't just raised in the rear. Whatever the reason, I agree with what Human says: a pervert would probably not want to do something so conspicuous to his car.

That first person sure sounds creepy(the one who drove that maroon car). Who drives away when someone approaches their vehicle? My first thought is that he must have been doing something drug-related; whatever it was, it was probably either illegal or embarrassing.

The second car's driver was probably young(at that time, under 45/50), what with his longer hair. If his car was just trimmed in white, I would expect it to be a Gremlin; if it had an additional white stripe down the side, it was probably a Pacer. Does anyone know which dealer the logo plates came from?

I'm disappointed that none of the descriptions of these men match that of the perp...but, could the perp(who was wearing something that obscured his vision and was, apparently, walking around out of sight of his vehicle) maybe have had a "getaway" driver - someone waiting for him in the car who could be ready to leave the scene quickly once he returned? Given the amount of time he took to interrogate the boys, and given that Jacob was probably not eager to follow him back to his car(or probable car), I'd think that having an accomplice helping him out in this way would have...well...helped.

Otherwise, he'd have had to struggle to get Jacob into the car(or its trunk), then start his car back up(I'd think so, anyway, because a running car would just make suspicious noise while sitting there unattended), pull/cut the stockings off of his head, and make his way off the premises. That's a lot of stuff to do while also trying to avoid being seen(especially by someone who claims he looked out his window several times).

Oh, also: because of a very kind and generous person, I now have the book. I'll be reading it, as I can, over the next few days. :happydance: