http://katu.com/stories/77541.html
June 1, 2005
Police Identify Minivan In Wilberger CaseBy Bob Heye
and KATU Web Staff
CORVALLIS, Ore. - New details are emerging about a suspicious green minivan that police believe may be tied to the disappearance of Brooke Wilberger.
Police say they know where the minivan is that they have been looking for and they have identified its driver as a person of interest.
This latest news comes one day after Corvallis police sent out a press release saying they were looking for a green 1997 Dodge Caravan.
Police say on May 24, 2004, the day Wilberger disappeared, someone named 'Brian' called 911 from a cell phone regarding a speeding and recklessly driven green minivan in the Mid-Valley area.
The connection with the cell phone was lost and police said they wanted to speak with that person to determine if what he saw that day was connected to Wilberger's disappearance.
Matt Siewell, who spoke with KATU News on Tuesday, says he also saw a green van outside Reser Stadium just before Wilberger vanished.
"I remember the van still pretty well," he said. "That's what got my attention in the first place."
The site where Siewell says he saw the minivan is just blocks from the apartment complex where Brooke Wilberger disappeared.
"I just remember him sitting there with his driver door open," Siewell said. "I remember he had like brown, curly hair and it seemed like it was probably shoulder length. That's all I can remember about him now."
Now, Siewell and others who saw the van that day cannot be reached, which may mean that police have asked them not to make public statements while the investigation continues.
Authorities already know where the van is that they are interested in and they also know where the owner is.
Ron Noble with the Corvallis Police Department said he could not comment on whether police had the person of interest who owns the minivan in custody.
Police identified the person as one of two remaining persons of interest six months ago.
Now they want to know if they can connect the minivan to any potential victims at all.
"The operator of this type of van may have tried to lure women or girls to the van," said Noble.
Brooke Wilberger's brother-in-law believes this may finally be the break the family has been waiting for.
"We know of one person, Brian, who saw the vehicle. He made the effort a year ago and we're hoping he'll make that effort again," said Zak Hansen.
Police say they have received several tips so far involving sightings of green minivans around the time that Wilberger disappeared. They are encouraging anyone who has not yet contacted them with information to call 1-800-THE-LOST.