Local News in Brief : 100 Callers Respond to Segment on Sakai Case

Los Angeles police said Monday they received about 100 phone calls from people claiming to have information on the whereabouts of a Tarzana man charged in the fatal stabbing of his wealthy father after a nationwide television broadcast that featured a segment on the case.

The show, “America’s Most Wanted,” produced by Fox Television Stations and aired at 8 p.m. Sunday, featured a dramatization of the case of Toru (Chris) Sakai, charged in February with the murder of his father, Takashi (Glenn) Sakai last year.

At least two of the phone calls received by police were worth investigating, Detective Jay Rush said. “They look pretty good,” he said.

Rush declined to give more information regarding the calls fearing that efforts to arrest Sakai might be jeopardized.

Sakai was arrested Dec. 3, 1987, on suspicion of murdering his father but was released because of lack of evidence.

Takashi Sakai, 54, had been missing for 10 months when his body was found in a shallow grave off Malibu Canyon Road on Feb. 10. Sakai--founder of the Pacific Partners investment firm in Beverly Hills and a prominent consultant who helped Japanese companies invest in businesses in the United States--had been stabbed repeatedly, police said.

Sakai, charged with conspiracy to commit murder and murder with special circumstances, could face the death penalty if convicted, police said.

Sanae Sakai, 51, the victim’s estranged wife, was arrested Feb. 25 and charged with harboring her son after the slaying. She has been released on $75,000 bail.