Discrepancy Arises in Neal Kidnap Case

The details of Saturday’s reported kidnaping and robbery of Tony Neal, captain of the Cal State Fullerton basketball team, remained a mystery Sunday as the Titans held a locked-door practice and Neal departed through the back-exit of the gym to evade reporters.

Titan Coach George McQuarn said Neal “was apprehensive about talking about his experience” and “requested not to deal with the media.”

“He’s physically fine, but it’s hard to measure it, emotionally,” McQuarn said prior to the Titans’ only practice before tonight’s game against Fresno State.

Neal, who is expected to play tonight, told the coach that accounts of the incident from the L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept. were correct, according to McQuarn.

Fullerton’s acting athletic director, Leanne Grotke, said: “What was written in the papers today is what happened. We see no reason to prolong this. It happened, and no harm was done. That’s it.”

However, as Santa Ana police began their investigation, some questions concerning the alleged abduction were raised.

According to a Norwalk Sheriff’s report, Neal was on his way to the Titan game against Cal State Long Beach at 5:50 p.m. Saturday when an unidentified man got into his Camaro at a stop sign at Washington Avenue and Ross Street in Santa Ana.

The man, described as a 5-foot-7, 160-pound Latino about 23 years old, reportedly pointed a blue-steel revolver at Neal and threatened to kill him. According to the sheriff’s report, the man then ordered Neal to drive to several locations throughout Orange and Los Angel es counties.

Sheriff’s officials said when Neal stopped his car in Santa Fe Springs, the suspect asked for Neal’s wallet, took $40 from it, handed it back to Neal and then fled on foot.

Neal was found by Norwalk sheriff’s deputies at 7:30 p.m. in the 10100 block of Flallon Ave. in Santa Fe Springs, after police received a report of the incident.

But Sgt. Mike Maynard of the Norwalk’s Sheriff’s office said Sunday that the description of Neal given by the deputies who responded to the Flallon Avenue call did not exactly match that of Neal.

Maynard said the victim who gave officials the description of the incident was 5-foot-10. Neal is 6-6, 210 pounds.

“We received a call today informing us Neal is 6-6,” Maynard said. “According to what we recalled, the man who called himself Tony Neal at the scene last night was 5-10.”

Santa Ana police Sgt. David Salazar said his department, which has taken over the investigation, is looking into the height discrepancy.

“We understand there is some conflict there,” Salazar said. “We are investigating.”

Santa Ana police were also looking into a statement allegedly made by the suspect to Neal. United Press International quoted Sheriff’s Deputy Bruce Milroy as saying, “The suspect told Mr. Neal to call his attorney, telling him, ‘You’re going to die.’ ”

Santa Ana police would not confirm the statement exactly, but did say that they had a similar report.

Neal has been associated with an attorney, Ray Alvarado, for several years. Alvarado has been a frequent spectator at Titan games and has often accompanied members of Neal’s family.

“Unfortunately, I haven’t talked to him (Neal) since it happened. I don’t know what’s happened,” said Alvarado. Alvarado also said his relationship with Neal was more personal than professional.

Neither police nor Alvarado said they had any reason to believe the suspect was aware of Neal’s identity.

Neal, who was graduated from Santa Ana Valley High School, averages 17.9 points and 12.4 rebounds a game and is the nation’s fifth-leading rebounder. Last year, he was the No. 2 rebounder in the Pacific Athletic Assn. with an 8.8 average.