Apartment, car searched in missing U.Va. student case

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Police executed a search warrant Friday morning on a car and an apartment in Charlottesville that could be linked to the disappearance of missing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham, reports CBS affiliate WTVR.

Three people were in the apartment -- one of whom was connected to the car -- but no arrests have been made, reports the Post.

Police could be seen putting crime scene tape near the apartment, located in the 100 block of Hessian Hills Way. Police were just about to enter the apartment and spend several hours there, Charlottesville Police Chief Tim Longo told WTVR.

Calling it a "major break" in the investigation, police seized the car and were searching it for evidence, reports the Post. The development follows one of the most productive leads so far in the case, Longo told CBS affiliate WCAV.

No arrests have been made.

Graham, 18, vanished early Saturday after leaving a party. Surveillance video has emerged of the teen in several locations around Charlottesville before she was last heard from via text message, telling a friend she was lost.

Charlottesville police announced Thursday they were looking for a person of interest who was reportedly seen by a witness putting his arm around Graham on the city's downtown pedestrian mall the around 1:15 a.m. morning she vanished. The witness himself was seen on surveillance video apparently following Graham on the mall, though he told police he was trying to help the teen before he saw the second man approach her and put his arm around her.

The witness said Graham didn't react and appeared to know the man.

The apartment is about three miles from the pedestrian mall where Graham was last seen, WTVR reports.

Police describe Graham as a white female, about five feet, 11 inches tall, with blue eyes, light brown hair and freckles. She was last seen wearing a black crop top with mesh cutouts.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call 434-295-3851.