Vallejo police, city officials still quiet on Huskins kidnapping case

VALLEJO, Calif. (KTVU) -- 24 hours after attorneys for two victims in a bizarre kidnapping case called for an apology from authorities, Vallejo city leaders and police were still not expressing any regrets.

On Monday, the FBI made it clear the March 23 kidnapping of Denise Huskins from the Mare Island home of her boyfriend Aaron Quinn was real. The FBI believes 38-year-old Matthew Muller was behind it.

Four months ago when their ordeal began, Vallejo police publicly stated that they believed the kidnapping was a hoax.

Since the release of an FBI affidavit detailing Muller’s connection to the kidnapping, the public has awaited a response from Vallejo police and city officials. 

"We take every investigation seriously. We have taken this one seriously from the very beginning, we continue to do so," said Vallejo City Manager Dan Keen.

Vallejo Mayor Osby Davis also was asked about the case at an event outside Vallejo City Hall Tuesday afternoon.

"It's a continuing criminal investigation handled by the FBI and I'll make no comments," said Davis.

FBI spokeswoman told KTVU they have asked Vallejo police to refer questions regarding suspect Matthew Muller to them, but said Vallejo police were not barred from talking about their own internal affairs.

When pressed on that issue, Davis reiterated the city’s position that they are unable to comment.

"As an attorney, I understand that things that are not specifically directed at a criminal prosecution could be brought in based upon some association. So no comment," Davis said. 

"We are going to wait for the investigation to be complete before we conduct any type of review," said Vallejo Police Capt. John Whitney.

Whitney said Vallejo police investigators have continued to work with the FBI on this case.

"All the investigators who were working from the start are still working in conjunction with the FBI," and added there are no plans to reassign those investigators even though they were the ones who initially believed the kidnapping was a hoax.

In an email Muller allegedly wrote to the San Francisco Chronicle days after the kidnapping, he said he wasn't working alone.

The email says quote "we are three acquaintances" of the group involved in Huskins' kidnapping.

The FBI wouldn't confirm whether they are still looking for other suspects. Vallejo police said they believe the public is not in danger.

"I think the police department's made a very good effort to be out on Mare Island and to be doing patrols over there and it's my opinion people should not be afraid of other kidnappers," Whitney said.  

Muller is in Santa Rita Jail for a home invasion robbery in Dublin.