“SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES” IN DISAPPEARANCE OF TEEN GIRL AT GROSSMONT CENTER

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 UPDATE: She's been found safe. See new story posted.

Evidence found in missing woman's beige Nissan Ultimata parked near Target store

December 23, 2010 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Police, with assistance from the San Diego Sheriff’s crime lab, have processed the vehicle of Sara Rafou, 19, whose vehicle was found in Grossmont Center’s parking lot after she disappeared last night. “Evidence in the vehicle leads us to believe that Sara is missing under suspicious circumstances,” a press release issued by Captain Ed Aceves with La Mesa Police late today states.

Co-workers from Bank America in Grossmont Center saw her exit the front doors at 6:30 last night at the end of her shift. Her unoccupied vehicle was found in the parking lot near the Target Store.  A Facebook page has been set up to help find her.

La Mesa Police Captain Ed Aceves told East County Magazine this evening that Aceve had long, curly hair at the time of her disapperance, but that she may have had it pulled up in a bun.  Her vehicle is a beige or gold 2005 Nissan Ultima. 

Surveillance video confirmed her arrival at work mid-day.  A co-worker walked out with her at 6:30.  Although surveillance cameras show the area of the parking lot where her car was parked, they did not show her returning to her car. Aceves said that's because larger vehicles were parked in front, obscuring the camera's view.

Asked if evidence suggested who might have been responsible for her disappearance, he replied, "It could have been a stranger, or someone she knew."  He declined to discuss what type of evidence was found that led to a conclusion that her disapparance was suspicious. 

 

Investigators are currently processing cell phone and credit card records, working overtime in an effort to locate Rafou.

The missing teen is a resident of El Cajon and a member of the St. Michael Chaldean Church. Her family has said it is extremely unusual for her to be late coming home without notifying them.
 

If you have any information on this case, please call the La Mesa Police Department at (619) 667-1400 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
 


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