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Authorities Narrow Sierra LaMar Search To Morgan Hill Area

MORGAN HILL (KCBS) - Dive teams returned to the Uvas Reservoir Friday to search for the body of Morgan Hill teenager Sierra LaMar, who authorities believe was not taken far from her home before she was killed.

"We don't have any information that she left the Morgan Hill area," said Sgt. Jose Cardoza, spokesman for the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.

Cardoza said about 30 tips a day have come in since Antolin Garcia-Torres was arrested and charged with kidnap and murder in connection with the 15-year-old girl's disappearance.

KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:

Dive teams have already searched the Uvas Reservoir once. Cardoza said they decided to make another sweep using more precise sonar equipment.

"It's a little bit more high definition, provides better sonar images for the dive team members to look at, and they're hoping they maybe come across something that they overlooked before," he said.

The Sheriff's Office will search other nearby reservoirs after Memorial Day weekend.

Cardoza said police have been reaching out to ranch owners and other large property owners near Morgan Hill in southern Santa Clara County, as well as Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties, because they believe LaMar's body may have been dumped in a river or other body of water in the area.

"We're reaching out to ranch owners, large parcel property owners to double check their lands and their properties, water shore lines, creeks, any small ponds or streams that they may have on their property."

LaMar was last seen at a bus stop near her home on March 16, and was texting and posting pictures online around 7 a.m. before she disappeared.

Garcia-Torres has yet to enter a plea. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 31.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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