SALT LAKE CITY, June 8 (UPI) -- A man depicted in a police composite sketch who was thought to have information about the bizarre abduction of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was found, questioned by police and released Saturday, police said.
Salt Lake City police released a composite drawing early Saturday of a man they believe had contact with Smart before she was abducted from her bedroom four days ago while her younger sister watched helplessly.
"It's another lead that has gone nowhere," Salt Lake City Police Detective Dwayne Baird said. "We were hoping it would be something we could hang our hats one."
Police said the man had no known criminal record.
Meanwhile, about 4,000 volunteers were combing the Salt Lake City area within a 40-mile radius of the Smart's home.
Smart's parents, speaking at a Saturday news conference, thanked the volunteers.
"My wife, the past couple of days, has just had this incredible weight on her chest," said Ed Smart, the missing girl's father. "And it had been overwhelming her and coming down here and seeing everyone and the support that we have and knowing what everyone is trying to do is absolutely bolstering our spirits."
Police Capt. Scott Atkinson told reporters that some 100 officers have been running down a steady stream of tips coming in from the public and also contacting neighbors and friends as well as any contractors, gardeners and anyone else who may have been in or around the Smart's $1 million home, which has been for sale, in the upscale Federal Heights neighborhood.
Earlier Saturday, the Laura Foundation, contacted police after their dogs seemed to pick up the scent at Red Butte Canyon, an area east of the University of Utah, Atkinson said. Investigators searched the area but found nothing.
According to police, Elizabeth was hustled out of the home at around 2 a.m. MDT Wednesday by an unknown white male dressed in light colored clothing and carrying a handgun.
Elizabeth's 9-year-old sister, who shared a room with the missing girl, witnessed the abduction, but did not inform her parents for two hours because the suspect threatened to harm Elizabeth if she told anyone what had happened.
Police have said they had no reason to doubt the little girl's story, and have said the family has been very cooperative in the investigation.
Atkinson said it was possible the suspect and Elizabeth left the Salt Lake City area and that an alert had been issued to law enforcement agencies nationwide.
"There is a possibility that any suspect has left the area. We've put out an alert with what little information we have on the suspect," he said.
Salt Lake City police have announced a $250,000 reward for Elizabeth's safe return. Law enforcement agencies throughout Utah, Wyoming and Idaho are on the lookout for Elizabeth and her abductor. Police urged anyone with a tip to call a hotline at (801) 799-3100.
(Hil Anderson in Los Angeles contributed to this report)
