Monday 3PM Update: Authorities Stopping Cars in Evansdale in Search for Missing Girls

KCRG/Gazette/Courier Staff Reports

Deputy Joe Stafford of the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office checks over a car at a checkpoint in Evansdale Monday, July 16, 2012. A massive search for two missing girls has been ongoing since Friday afternoon. (MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Jul 16, 2012 at 3:06 PM CDT

Story Updated: Dec 11, 2012 at 12:07 PM CDT

EVANSDALE, Iowa - Law enforcement officers stopped motorists Monday afternoon at a number of intersections in the city of Evansdale as an apparent part of the effort to locate two missing girls.

Lyric Cook, 10 and Elizabeth Collins, 8, disappeared sometime Friday after riding their bikes to a trail around Meyers Lake. Hundreds of searchers over the weekend did not turn up any usable evidence for authorities.

The stopping of vehicles began sometime around 12:30 p.m.. Officers are passing out fliers about the missing girls. They are also questioning some drivers and even looking in a few trunks. One officer involved in the effort would not explain the searching of some vehicles.

Rick Abben, chief deputy for the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, briefed the media about the latest efforts late Monday morning. Abben reported no new leads for investigators.

The only thing of significance that has been recovered since the search began Friday was Elizabeth's purse, which was located near the bikes.

"We have two missing girls and I have no idea why," Abben said.

The calls for volunteer searchers that brought out nearly a thousand people both Saturday and Sunday were not repeated Monday.

Drew and Heather Collins, parents of Elizabeth Collins, also spoke briefly with reporters. The mother and father of one missing girl said they are trying to keep the faith that all the efforts will have a happy ending.

The Collins’ specifically thanked all the searchers who turned out for the massive effort over the weekend. Earlier on Monday, uniformed officers were also seen walking ditches apparently searching for evidence.

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