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The Latest: Mementoes of crimes sought at home of suspect

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on a decades-old serial killing and rape case in California (all times local):

1:40 p.m.

Investigators are scouring the home of a man accused in a string of California killings and rapes, looking for class rings, earrings, dishes and other items possibly taken from crime scenes.

Sacramento County sheriff's Lt. Paul Belli said Thursday that authorities are also looking for weapons and other items that can link 72-year-old suspect James Joseph DeAngelo to the crimes in the 1970s and '80s.

Belli declined to say what investigators have found.

Police officers, FBI agents and crime scene technicians were spending a second day in DeAngelo's Citrus Heights home in suburban Sacramento.

DeAngelo was arrested after a nearly four-decade search for a criminal known as the Golden State Killer, the East Area Rapist and other monikers.

Investigators took two vehicles, motorcycle and fishing boat out of his three-car garage and put up tarps to block news cameras.

DeAngelo has not entered a plea.

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1 p.m.

News that police had arrested a suspect in the decades-old "East Area Rapist" case gave Betsy Reamer a nightmare about the time in 1979 when she thinks she may have seen him.

Reamer says she spotted a man in a ski mask riding a bicycle down the street of her Danville, California, neighborhood in the middle of the night.

She called police, who quickly arrived and asked her for details. She never learned for certain if the man she saw was the notorious serial killer and rapist who was tied to multiple crimes in Danville.

Still, Reamer says living in her quiet neighborhood was never the same.

She lived in the home with her two young children and husband, who often traveled for work. The family moved to Canada in 1981 and Reamer says she quickly shed memories from the time.

Reamer, who now lives in Delaware, is the mother of an Associated Press reporter.

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12:10 p.m.

A teenager who was friends with the granddaughter of a man accused of killing a dozen people and raping dozens of women throughout California says she spent many weekends at his home and never noticed anything odd.

Sierra Creech says she was friends with John DeAngelo's granddaughter and spent almost every weekend for six months at his home in Citrus Heights, near Sacramento.

The 17-year-old says she and DeAngelo's granddaughter, who were 8 or 9 at the time, were supervised by his daughter.

She says DeAngelo "was just nice."

Her mother, 43-year-old Candace Creech, says she was shook up when she learned that the man who used to pick up and drop off her daughter is accused of such heinous crimes.

Candace Creech says she started crying from the shock of hearing the news of DeAngelo's arrest.

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1 a.m.

Comedian Patton Oswalt says it's "great news" that police arrested a suspect in the brutal murders and rapes that his late wife had spent years investigating.

Oswalt appeared on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" early Thursday and said news of the arrest felt like "a beginning of this whole other chapter."

His late wife, Michelle McNamara, was a journalist who coined the name Golden State Killer and wrote a book on the 12 killings and 50 rapes. She died in her sleep in April 2016.

On Tuesday, authorities arrested 72-year-old Joseph James DeAngelo on suspicion of the murders.

Police didn't give McNamara credit, but said her book kept interest up and tips coming in.

Oswalt says he's relieved because "now it feels like this thing that she wanted so badly is done."

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AP writer Michelle A. Monroe contributed to this report.

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This version corrects the spelling of Seth Meyers.

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12:01 a.m.

The suspected Golden State Killer became less prolific but deadlier after losing his job as a police officer.

Prosecutors say Joseph DeAngelo carried out his most violent crimes in the months after he was fired for shoplifting in 1979.

DeAngelo was charged Wednesday with eight counts of murder for killings in the late '70s and early '80s. He is suspected of killing 12 people and raping about 50 and could face more charges.

Authorities say DeAngelo is the man once dubbed the East Area Rapist for some four dozen sexual assaults in the suburbs east of Sacramento.

After losing his job on the police force, the suspect committed fewer crimes, but 10 were slayings and all were in Southern California.

Because the crimes spanned 10 counties the culprit was later dubbed the Golden State Killer.

FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2012 file photo, comedian Patton Oswalt, left, and his wife Michelle McNamara arrive at the 17th annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards in Los Angeles. Patton Oswalt is crediting his late wife for her work in pursuit of the so-called Golden State Killer. Michelle McNamara had made it her mission to find the person responsible for at least 12 murders and 50 rapes throughout California in the 1970s and 80s. She died in April 2016. On Wednesday, April 25, 2018, authorities said a DNA match led them to arrest Joseph James DeAngelo, a 72-year-old former police officer, as a suspect. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File) The Associated Press
In this undated combo photos released by the FBI shows murder victims, Katie Maggiore and her husband Brian Maggiore. On Feb. 2, 1978, Brian Maggiore and his wife, Katie, were on an evening walk with their dog in their Rancho Cordova neighborhood when they were chased down and murdered by the East Area Rapist in Rancho Cordova, Calif. (FBI via AP) The Associated Press
This undated photo released by the FBI shows artist renderings of a serial killer and rapist, also known as the "East Area Rapist" and "Golden State Killer" from 1976 to 1986. A California sheriff said Joseph James DeAngelo, a former police officer accused of being a serial killer and rapist, was taken by surprise when deputies swooped in and arrested him Tuesday, April 24, 2018, as he stepped out of his home. (FBI via AP) The Associated Press
This undated photo released by the FBI shows a sketch and details of a stolen ring the attacker who became known as the East Area Rapist took from one of his victims. Authorities said the attacker ransacked homes and took coins, jewelry and identification. Joseph James DeAngelo, once sworn to protect the public from crime, was accused Wednesday, April 25, 2018, of living a double life terrorizing suburban neighborhoods at night, becoming one of California's most feared serial killers and rapists in the 1970s and '80s before leaving a cold trail that baffled investigators for more than three decades. (FBI via AP) The Associated Press
This undated photo released by the FBI shows part of East Area Rapist Crime reports at the Sheriff's department evidence room in Sacramento, Calif. Volumes of reports about the murder investigation are contained in the evidence room at the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. A California sheriff said Joseph James DeAngelo, a former police officer accused of being a serial killer and rapist, was taken by surprise when deputies swooped in and arrested him Tuesday, April 24, 2018, as he stepped out of his home. (FBI via AP) The Associated Press
This undated photo released by the FBI shows a home invasion ransacking by an attacker who became known as the "East Area Rapist" at an unknown location in California. Authorities said the attacker ransacked the home and took coins, jewelry and identification. Joseph James DeAngelo, once sworn to protect the public from crime, was accused Wednesday, April 25, 2018, of living a double life terrorizing suburban neighborhoods at night, becoming one of California's most feared serial killers and rapists in the 1970s and '80s before leaving a cold trail that baffled investigators for more than three decades. (FBI via AP) The Associated Press
In this undated photo released by the FBI shows East Area Rapist Ski Masks in Sacramento, Calif. A California sheriff says a former police officer accused of being a serial killer and rapist was taken by surprise when deputies swooped in and arrested him as he stepped out of his home. Sacramento County Sheriff Matt Jones said deputies planned to arrest Joseph DeAngelo when he left his home on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. (FBI via AP) The Associated Press
Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones discusses the arrest of Joseph James DeAngelo for a string of violent crimes in the 1970's and 1980's, at a news conference, Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Sacramento, Calif. DeAngelo, 72, was taken into custody at his suburban Sacramento home, Tuesday, on suspicion of committing at least 12 slayings and 45 rapes in California.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) The Associated Press
In this undated photo released by the FBI shows Sacramento County Sheriff's Department Deputy Paige Kneeland searching for evidence in the East Area Rapist case at the Sheriff's department evidence room in Sacramento, Calif. Here, Sacramento County Sheriff's Department Deputy Paige Kneeland sorts through reams of evidence in the East Area Rapist case. A California sheriff says a former police officer accused of being a serial killer and rapist was taken by surprise when deputies swooped in and arrested him as he stepped out of his home. Sacramento County Sheriff Matt Jones said deputies planned to arrest Joseph DeAngelo when he left his home on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. (FBI via AP) The Associated Press
Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert discusses the arrest of Joseph James DeAngelo for a string of violent crimes in the 1970's and 1980's, at a news conference, Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Sacramento, Calif. DeAngelo, 72, was taken into custody at his suburban Sacramento home, Tuesday, on suspicion of committing at least 12 slayings and 45 rapes in California.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) The Associated Press
Bruce Harrington pauses as he discusses the arrest of Joseph James DeAngelo for a string of violent crimes in the 1970's and 1980's, including the murder of Harrington's brother and sister-in-law, at a news conference, Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Sacramento, Calif. DeAngelo, 72, is believed to be responsible for the murder of Keith Harrington and his wife, Patrice in their Orange County home in 1980. DeAngelo, is believed to have committed at least 12 slayings and 45 rapes in California.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) The Associated Press
Authorities search the home of suspect Joseph James DeAngelo, Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Citrus Heights, Calif. DeAngelo, 72, was taken into custody, Tuesday, on suspicion of committing at least 12 slayings and 45 rapes in the 1970's and 1980's in California. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) The Associated Press
Authorities gather outside the home of suspect Joseph James DeAngelo, Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Citrus Heights, Calif. DeAngelo, 72, was taken into custody, Tuesday, on suspicion of committing at least 12 slayings and 45 rapes in the 1970's and 1980's in California. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) The Associated Press
Sacramento County Sheriffs deputies leave the Citrus Heights, Calif., home of Joseph James DeAngelo, Wednesday, April 25 2018, who was a arrested on suspicion in a string of violent crimes in the 1970's and 1980's. DeAngelo, 72, was taken into custody, Tuesday, and is believed to be responsible of committing at least 12 slayings and 45 rapes in California. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) The Associated Press
Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, accompanied by law enforcement authorities from around the state, discusses the arrest of Joseph James DeAngelo for a string of violent crimes in the 1970's and 1980's, at a news conference. Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Sacramento, Calif. DeAngelo, 72, was taken into custody at his suburban Sacramento home, Tuesday, on suspicion of committing at least 12 slayings and 45 rapes in California.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) The Associated Press
Bruce Harrington discusses the arrest of Joseph James DeAngelo on suspicion for a string of violent crimes in the 1970's and 1980's, including the murder of Harrington's brother and sister in law, at a news conference. Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Sacramento, Calif. DeAngelo, 72, is believed to be responsible for the murder of Keith Harrington and his wife, Patrice in their Orange County home in 1980. DeAngelo, is believed to have committed at least 12 slayings and 45 rapes in California.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) The Associated Press
Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert discusses the arrest of Joseph James DeAngelo for a string of violent crimes in the 1970's and 1980's, at a news conference. Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Sacramento, Calif. DeAngelo, 72, was taken into custody at his suburban Sacramento home, Tuesday, on suspicion of committing at least 12 slayings and 45 rapes in California.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) The Associated Press
Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, right, flanked by Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jone discusses the arrest of Joseph James DeAngelo for a string of violent crimes in the 1970's and 1980's, at a news conference. Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Sacramento, Calif. DeAngelo, 72, was taken into custody at his suburban Sacramento home, Tuesday, on suspicion of committing at least 12 slayings and 45 rapes in California. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) The Associated Press
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