Suspect questioned in case of abducted Florida girl

? A drug felon was being questioned Wednesday in the disappearance of an 11-year-old girl who was apparently kidnapped while walking home from a friend’s house, authorities said. The girl’s whereabouts were not immediately known.

Joseph P. Smith, 37, has been in custody since Tuesday on unrelated charges that officials did not specify. His car, a Buick Century station wagon, was being combed by investigators for any clues in the disappearance of Carlie Brucia, whose apparent abduction Sunday evening was captured by a car wash surveillance camera.

“We have strong evidence that he is in fact the perpetrator,” said Capt. Jeff Bell, the lead Sarasota County sheriff’s investigator on the case.

Col. Terry Lewis called it an “ongoing, dynamic investigation.” He said his investigative team will continue working through the night, but would not have further comment until a press briefing Thursday morning.

Sheriff Bill Balkwill said investigators were led to Smith after a tip was phoned in by a citizen.

Meanwhile, a private investigator hired by the girl’s family said late Wednesday that he had a “possible lead” to her wherabouts based on an anonymous tip.

“I’ve just contacted the family and given them that information. Carlie’s stepfather is en route now to some type of crime scene,” investigator Chuck Chambers said.

The family could not immediately be reached, but sheriff’s deputies denied that any crime scene existed.

Smith has been arrested at least 13 times in Florida since 1993, according to state records. He was arrested in 1997 by Manatee County officials on kidnapping and false imprisonment charges, but was acquitted a year later, records show.

Other arrests range from misdemeanor battery to felony drug possession charges, records show, with Smith placed on probation for cocaine possession last March.

Surveillance video footage of Brucia’s apparent abduction showed a man in his late 20s or early 30s in a mechanic’s shirt with a name patch on one lapel. Investigators said he also had tattoos on both forearms.

Friends from the girl’s former Girl Scout troop took a day off from school Wednesday to pass out fliers at malls, canvass neighborhoods and distribute pink ribbons adorned with Carlie’s name.

“I don’t feel too good about this, knowing my best friend is out there with a stranger,” said Tiffany Meeks.