Vt. Cops Report Lead On Missing Student

Burlington police have released still video images of missing University of Vermont student Michelle Gardner-Quinn and the man she was last seen walking with.

Police say the man has become a significant focus of their investigation, but they won't call him a suspect in Gardner-Quinn's disappearance.

"This morning, we have encouraging progress to report," Detective Mike Shirling said at a briefing Thursday morning.

The 21-year-old woman from Arlington, Virginia, was last seen Saturday at 2:34 a.m. walking on Main Street with a man whose cell phone she had borrowed.

Investigators Wednesday had said they had ruled out one potential suspect but were still investigating another.

More search warrants were executed Wednesday, but Police Chief Thomas Tremblay would not divulge details of the locations or targets. On Tuesday, a home in nearby Richmond was searched but neither Tremblay nor the occupants would discuss it.

Two dozen volunteers Wednesday, aided by her brother, combed through bushes and backyards in Burlington's hill section near the university looking for a gray peacoat, green cardigan sweater and black purse she had on her when she was last seen Saturday.

Police using search dogs also fanned out through that neighborhood.

Police Thursday also were continuing to search areas in Richmond and Jericho, Vt.

On Wednesday, police located, interviewed and ruled out as a suspect an unidentified man who had reportedly tried to lure a woman into his white "Subaru-style" hatchback on North Winooski Avenue, about three-quarters of a mile from where Gardner-Quinn was last seen, at approximately the same time.

The man, whose identity wasn't released, cooperated with police.

"The operator has provided an explanation of his activities that night and while our investigation continues, he is not considered a suspect," he said.

Officer Matt Sullivan saw a man standing by a white Subaru and questioned him, and he told police he was in that area that night. He was interviewed by police, who believe he was the one that had been the subject of the woman's report.

Finding the car may otherwise have been a longshot. According to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, there are 4,638 white Subarus registered in the state.

Police advised Burlington residents to travel with another person or in groups and to stay on well-traveled streets.

"This is a safe city, but people cannot be complacent," Tremblay told more than 40 people at a community safety forum Wednesday. "So many times we hear 'I didn't think things like this could happen.' Being aware a crime can occur is perhaps the most important lesson we can all walk away with."