Authorities Release New Info In Laura Ayala Case
$19,000 Reward Offered In Case
POSTED: Tuesday, April 9, 2002
UPDATED: 1:17 pm CDT April 9,
2002
HOUSTON -- Authorities released some new details Tuesday in the hopes of finding missing teenager, Laura Ayala.
During a news conference, investigators asked the public's help in finding a man who was working at a gas station, near where Laura is believed to have disappeared from last month.Investigators said that they want to question Martin Marmulejo, 37, as a possible witness in connection with Laura's disappearance.Marmulejo was one of two men doing plumbing work at the service station the night Laura disappeared, authorities said. Investigators have already interviewed the other male, but have been unable to discuss the case with Marmulejo."The plumber's partner left a couple hours earlier. He had some other things to do," Houston Police Officer P.J. Guerro said. "(Marmulejo) continued working there until shortly before 10 o'clock."Marmulejo, who has several aliases, is Hispanic, about 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs about 240 pounds, with black curly hair, and a thick mustache, authorities said.
Police said that Marmulejo is known to drive a red Ford Econoline van with Texas license plates NA7068.He is wanted for skipping court in connection with a separate charge of failure to stop and give information, and deadly conduct, authorities said.Investigators pointed out that Marmulejo is not a suspect."We're not out to arrest him in this case at all," Houston Police spokesman John Cannon said. "We just want to talk to him."
Police said that Laura, 13, was abducted some time after 10:15 p.m. Sunday, March 10 behind her family's apartment, located at 7939 Sarita in southeast Houston.Laura disappeared after she walked behind her apartment complex to a gas station to buy a newspaper for a school project.Laura's mother later found her daughter's shoes along with the newspaper on the street near the gas station. The clerk at the station remembered selling her a newspaper.Volunteers have searched on foot and horseback in various locations around the Houston area since her disappearance, but have not found any clues.Police described Ayala as a Hispanic female, 4 feet tall, and weighing about 90 pounds. She has black, medium-length straight hair with brown highlights. She was last seen wearing a blue-checkered dress.Anyone with information about Ayala's disappearance or whereabouts is asked to call the Houston Police Department's Homicide Division at (713) 308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS.A $19,000 reward is being offered in the case. More Information:
Copyright 2007 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Police said that Marmulejo is known to drive a red Ford Econoline van with Texas license plates NA7068.He is wanted for skipping court in connection with a separate charge of failure to stop and give information, and deadly conduct, authorities said.Investigators pointed out that Marmulejo is not a suspect."We're not out to arrest him in this case at all," Houston Police spokesman John Cannon said. "We just want to talk to him."Police said that Laura, 13, was abducted some time after 10:15 p.m. Sunday, March 10 behind her family's apartment, located at 7939 Sarita in southeast Houston.Laura disappeared after she walked behind her apartment complex to a gas station to buy a newspaper for a school project.Laura's mother later found her daughter's shoes along with the newspaper on the street near the gas station. The clerk at the station remembered selling her a newspaper.Volunteers have searched on foot and horseback in various locations around the Houston area since her disappearance, but have not found any clues.Police described Ayala as a Hispanic female, 4 feet tall, and weighing about 90 pounds. She has black, medium-length straight hair with brown highlights. She was last seen wearing a blue-checkered dress.Anyone with information about Ayala's disappearance or whereabouts is asked to call the Houston Police Department's Homicide Division at (713) 308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS.A $19,000 reward is being offered in the case. More Information: Previous Stories:
- March 29, 2002: Congresswoman Joins Search For Missing Girl
- March 22, 2002: Police Release More Photos Of Missing Girl
- March 19, 2002: Reward Increased For Missing Girl
- March 13, 2002: Reward Offered For Missing Girl
- March 12, 2002: Search Intensifies For Missing Girl
Copyright 2007 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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