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The Lima News Serving Northwest Ohio More Than 97 Years
TUESDAY Clues Sought In Abduction Of Postmistress Elgin - Investigators worked throughout the night and a new ground search began at 7 a.m. today for clues into Monday's disappearance of postmistress Betty J. Mottinger from the post office in this small southeastern Van Wert County village. A team of federal and local investigators says the post office was apparently robbed and they believe the 48-year-old Ohio City woman was abducted about 8:30 a.m. Monday. Van Wert County Sheriff Jerry Brittsan said he was the first officer to arrive at the post office after Elgin residents, including assistant postmistress Amy Baker, arrived there and realized something was wrong. The morning mail had not been prepared for pickup and the office was open with no one around. When Brittsan arrived, he found the safe open, the cash drawer rifled and the contents of a purse believed to be Mrs. Mottinger's dumped on top of the desk. The purse and any money that might have been inside were missing while the rest of the contents were left behind. Authorities say Mrs. Mottinger was wearing a light colored blouse with a design on the front and dark slacks when last seen on duty about 8:20 a.m. Monday.
She is described as 5 feet, 1 inch tall, weighing about 105 pounds, and has brown hair and blue eyes. A suspect sought in connection with the case is a white male, about 45 years old, approximately 6 feet 3 inches tall, weighing about 240 pounds. He had black hair and wore glasses, according to investigators, and was believed to be driving a two-tone brown coupe. Tom Strausbaugh, a postal inspector from Columbus, said an audit of the post office is under way to determine what is missing. He said stamps and cash are believed to have been taken. Officials said the man could be charged with kidnapping and robbery ____ (article is un-readable here) minimum sentence of 25 years they said. Authorities continued today to ask anyone who has seen anyone resembling the missing postmistress or the suspect to contact Van Wert County Sheriff's Department. There was no evidence that a struggle had taken place or that Mrs. Mottinger had been injured at the post office, Brittsan said. A witness who was in the area of the post office at the time of the incident was placed under hypnosis by Delphos Police Sgt. David Wagner on Monday afternoon in an effort to uncover more clues. Clarence Mottinger, Mrs. Mottinger's husband, said he had no idea why his wife might have been abducted or who might be involved. "I have no idea whatsoever," Mottinger said. A son, Douglas, also is employed by the postal service, in nearby Van Wert. A task force of local and federal investigators was put together Monday to probe the apparent robbery-kidnapping. A team of 10 inspectors from U.S. Postal Service offices in Columbus, Toledo and Cleveland and two FBI agents from the Lima office are working with the Van Wert County Sheriff's Department and other law enforcement agencies. An investigation command post was established at the Van Wert Best Western Motel on late Monday afternoon and it operated all night exploring leads with law enforcement agencies. Soon after the apparent robbery was discovered Monday morning, Brittsan said, an aerial search of the area was begun with the help of Venedocia area pilot Marvin Welker in his private aircraft. Two planes from the Ohio Highway Patrol joined the search at midday. Brittsan said Mercer County Sheriff Joe Gilmore and 13 of his deputies came to Elgin to join in the investigation, as did deputies from the Allen County Sheriff's Department. Elgin is a tiny community of about 75 people in rural Van Wert ----[Rest of article in unavailable at this time]
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