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Search continues for Dru Sjodin
by Dan Gunderson, Minnesota Public Radio
December 3, 2003

Volunteers searched miles of farm fields and ditches looking for any clues in the disappearance of Dru Sjodin. (MPR photo/Dan Gunderson)

The man who allegedly kidnapped University of North Dakota student Dru Sjodin appeared Wednesday in a Crookston courtroom. Meanwhile, in the surrounding countryside, hundreds of people continued to search for any sign of the missing woman.

Crookston, Minn. — Fifty-year old Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. was brought into Polk County District Court wearing a winter jacket and blue jeans. His cuffed hands were attached to a chain around his waist. He was represented by a public defender.

In a brief hearing, he waived his right to extradition proceedings. That cleared the way for Rodriguez to be handed over to Grand Forks authorities.

"For the sake of your mother, tell us where the girl is." - Unidentified neighbor of Alfonso Rodriguez

Dru Sjodin's father Allen was in the courtroom, as were friends of the Rodriguez family.

As Rodriguez was led from the courtroom a woman identified as his neighbor stood and shouted at him in spanish. She called him by his nickname, Tito and told him, "For the sake of your mother, tell us where the girl is." Rodriguez did not respond.

At the Crookston National Guard Armory, the parking lot was jammed with cars, pickup trucks and buses.

The armory is the command center for the Polk county search for Dru Sjodin.

Assistant County Emergency Manager Al Wagner called the volunteer response was overwhelming. About 450 people showed up with their all terrain vehicles.

"We were looking probably at 200 ATV's, so it's well over double that. So it's a very good response," said Wagner.

	All terrain vehicles aid in the search for Dru Sjodin.

Searchers planned to cover about 70 square miles in Polk county on Wednesday according to Wagner.

"We've got a certain area we want to cover. The ATV's are doing it by township with their team leader. When they get done with one they move to another township so we can cover the area we want to cover," said Wagner. "The people on foot are going out and doing the areas the ATV's can't get into that we think need to be looked a little closer at."

A few miles south of Crookston, a bitter wind howls across snowless farmfields. Four men are unloading all terrain vehicles from a trailer parked along a narrow gravel road.

All four are employees of Arctic Cat in Thief River Falls. They took time off work to help in the search.

Jona Bernier thinks about his kids as he bounces along fields and ditches looking for evidence.

"Having your own kids that's what you think about when you're out looking for something like this. What if something ever happened to your own children? You'd hopefully have the same turnout we have for this situation," said Bernier.

The searchers are looking for tracks, clothing, or anything that might link Dru Sjodin to the area. Jona Bernier said he tries not to think about what he might find.

"You hope you find something that can come up with a clue or lead to finding her, but then again you almost feel like you don't want to because it's not a very good feeling," said Bernier. "I don't know. You just do what you can to help out."

The four men all downplay their role in the search. Eric Halverson thinks small town residents do what needs to be done.

"I couldn't imagine if something like this happened to my family so I think if it happened to me I'd appreciate if people took time off work and came out and looked. I just hope someone finds her," said Halverson

Police remain confident they will find Dru Sjodin. Her alleged kidnapper may be arraigned in Grand Forks county court as early as Thursday.

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