Gerald V. Stiles, 62, Missing Since 12/4/08, Decatur, IL [LOCATED]

[Faith]

DECATUR POLICE LOOKING FOR MISSING MAN

12/05/08

http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/469/images/news/GeraldV.gif

Decatur Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing Decatur Man. Decatur Police are attempting to locate 62 year old Gerald V. Stiles who has not been seen by his family since 11:00 am Thursday, 12/4/2008. Decatur Police Officers were notified of Stiles missing status at 11:15 am Friday. Detectives were notified around 1:30 pm this date. Stiles is a resident in the 1500 block of N. Edward street which is the last known location he was observed at. Decatur Police have listed Stiles as a “Missing Endangered” person due to health issues, the fact that he has no history of wandering off, no access to a vehicle or any mode of transportation, and the possibility that he does not have adequate clothing to sustain the current extreme cold temperatures.

Stiles is a white male, 5’09” in height, 150lbs in weight, blue eyes, short gray hair, balding on top, and gray beard- mustache ( SEE ABOVE PDF ATTACHMENT). Stiles may also have a tattoo of an “anchor” on his forearm, however unknown if on left or right arm. It is unknown on specific clothing information but Stiles often wears flannel shirts and blue jeans. Stiles does not have access to a vehicle and is believed to have left his residence on foot. Several area homes and businesses have been checked by uniformed police officers and Detectives, but Stiles whereabouts are still unknown.

If anybody has observed Gerald V. Stiles or has information regarding his whereabouts please call Decatur Police Detectives at 217-424-2738 or the emergency communications center at 217-424-2711.

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=469&show=localnews&NewsID=939021&CategoryID=7026

[packy]

http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2008/12/08/news/local/1037596.txt

DECATUR - Police in Decatur were still searching Sunday for a missing 62-year-old Decatur man and said they are concerned for his safety.

Gerald V. Stiles lives in the 1500 block of North Edward Street and hasn't been seen by his family since 11 a.m. Thursday. Police were notified he was gone Friday morning.

Police have searched several homes and businesses connected with Stiles but found no trace. He is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, 150 pounds, with blue eyes, short gray hair balding on top, and has a gray beard and mustache. He may have a tattoo of an anchor on his forearm. Anyone with information can call 424-2738, or 424-2711.

(more at link)

[TigressPen]

I pray Gerald is found soon! Our elderly seem to be disappearing at an alarming rate lately. :sad0119:

[packy]

There is a possibility that he is in Oregon.

After an intense investigation detectives believe 62-year-old Derald Stiles is in Oregon.

Police say Stiles' credit card was used in Baker City, Oregon at a local truck stop

Detectives also confirmed that a bus ticket was bought there with the name Gerald Stiles.

http://www.wandtv.com/global/story.asp?s=9498499

[Amusedtdth]

There is a possibility that he is in Oregon.

After an intense investigation detectives believe 62-year-old Derald Stiles is in Oregon.

Police say Stiles' credit card was used in Baker City, Oregon at a local truck stop

Detectives also confirmed that a bus ticket was bought there with the name Gerald Stiles.

http://www.wandtv.com/global/story.asp?s=9498499

I truly hope that it is Mr. Stiles using his credit card and not someone that harmed him.
Praying for a safe and health return.

[sarahhod]

UPDATE: POLICE DETECTIVES FOLLOWING LEADS ON MISSING MAN

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=469&NewsID=939021&CategoryID=7026&on=



12/05/08


Gerald V. Stiles
Deputy Chief Todd Walker of the Decatur Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division announced today that detectives are making progress in determining the status of missing person Gerald V. Stiles.

Stiles was reported missing to Decatur Police on Friday December 5, 2008, but as stated in previous comments to the press, the family waited 24 hours before notifying the police department. During the initial notification response, police officers checked dozens of area businesses, taverns and liquor establishments, cab companies, hospitals, local Greyhound bus depot, municipal bus services, alleys, vacant homes, and area food and homeless shelters.

Detectives also flagged financial transactions of Stiles. Detectives announced that they had no reason to suspect that Stiles was despondent or distraught, but were worried based on information initially provided by the family that he did not have the physical or financial means, or access to vehicles to travel, nor did he have proper clothing to sustain the elements.

Walker held a press conference on Monday advising the media that the investigation was being intensified. Walker announced that the adult sons would be interviewed in depth, photographs of Stiles distributed nationally and the initial search grid would be expanded in the city limits to include wooded areas.

Walker announced today (Dec. 10) that when detectives re-interviewed one of the sons of Gerald Stiles on Friday, that some disturbing comments were made which led detectives to obtain a search warrant for the Stiles residence in which detectives were seen digging under the front porch and extensively searching the interior of the residence.

Search teams assigned to wooded areas within the city limits discovered a deceased male, hanging from a tree south of the Spring Creek Plaza area, an apparent victim of suicide. The identity of the man was not Gerald Stiles.

Deputy Chief Walker advised that they also received a tip from a Decatur resident who claimed to have seen the missing man on December 8th in the 1100 block of N. Main near a thrift store. Detectives located the person suspected to be Gerald Stiles as described by the tip, but quickly determined that the man was not Gerald Stiles. On Tuesday December, 9th, detectives were contacted by the Decatur Branch-Land of Lincoln Credit Union. Walker advised that since detectives had flagged financial transactions of Stiles that the Credit Union noticed that Stiles credit card had sustained a transaction on December 6th in Baker City, Oregon at a ATM machine at a local truck stop.

Decatur authorities pinned down the exact location of the ATM machine transaction and contacted the Baker City Oregon Police Department, which is a very small Police Department according to Deputy Chief Walker.

The ATM machine was at a truck stop called the Baker Truck Coral. Decatur authorities learned that this truck stop was also a Greyhound bus hub and worked with officials to obtain video and passenger ticket information. Walker said that the Greyhound officials in Oregon were very helpful. The Decatur police have a photo image of a man at the truck stop who they believe is Gerald Stiles.

They also confirmed that a bus ticket with the name of Gerald Stiles had been acquired through Greyhound bus services and the destination was for Medford, Oregon. Walker advised that Decatur detectives are communicating with Medford authorities in an attempt to locate Stiles. Walker also said that when the family was re-questioned again they indicated to detectives that Stiles had lived in Medford, Oregon several years ago.

Walker, expressed optimism indicating that Decatur authorities believe Gerald Stiles is alive and at this point, under no duress, yet there is still some explaining to be gained.

Walker was also frustrated because Decatur detectives at the very onset of this investigation spoke directly with Greyhound representatives in Decatur and were advised that no passenger/ticket information regarding Gerald Stiles was in their system, yet detectives have now learned several days later that Decatur Greyhound authorities did not adequately research their data base and learned that a subject matching Stiles description purchased a ticket at the Decatur hub on December 4th at 12:40 pm.

“ A lot of manpower and effort has been devoted to this missing person and we could have gained information much quicker if certain information would have been 'remembered' by family members and certain entities had been efficient in their 'record keeping system'," said Walker. "The bright side is we know Mr. Stiles is alive and does not appear to be in harm’s way, but the investigation will remain open and active until a proper authority can make personal contact with Mr. Stiles to ensure his actions and activities are voluntary."

PREVIOUS STORY FOLLOWS

Decatur Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing Decatur aan. Decatur Police are attempting to locate 62 year old Gerald V. Stiles who has not been seen by his family since 11:00 am Thursday, 12/4/2008. Decatur Police Officers were notified of Stiles missing status at 11:15 am Friday. Detectives were notified around 1:30 pm this date. Stiles is a resident in the 1500 block of N. Edward street which is the last known location he was observed.

Decatur Police have listed Stiles as a “Missing Endangered” person due to health issues, the fact that he has no history of wandering off, no access to a vehicle or any mode of transportation, and the possibility that he does not have adequate clothing to sustain the current extreme cold temperatures.

Stiles is a white male, 5’09” in height, 150lbs in weight, blue eyes, short gray hair, balding on top, and gray beard- mustache

. Stiles may also have a tattoo of an “anchor” on his forearm, however unknown if on left or right arm. It is unknown on specific clothing information but Stiles often wears flannel shirts and blue jeans. Stiles does not have access to a vehicle and is believed to have left his residence on foot. Several area homes and businesses have been checked by uniformed police officers and Detectives, but Stiles whereabouts are still unknown.

If anybody has observed Gerald V. Stiles or has information regarding his whereabouts please call Decatur Police Detectives at 217-424-2738 or the emergency communications center at 217-424-2711.

[sarahhod]

http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2008/12/11/news/local/1037670.txt

Thursday, December 11, 2008 12:44 AM CST

Police say missing Decatur man likely in Oregon

DECATUR - Decatur police announced Wednesday that they believe they have located a 62-year-old man who has been the subject of an intensive missing person search since Friday.

Gerald V. Stiles was traced to Baker City, Ore., and apparently was headed via Greyhound bus to Medford, Ore., where he formerly resided.

Decatur Deputy Police Chief Todd Walker said the break in the case came Tuesday, when police were contacted by Land of Lincoln Credit Union, where Stiles had an account. He said officers had asked the credit union to watch for transactions on that account, and Stiles' credit card had been used Saturday at a truck stop in Baker City, Ore.

Police officers had searched alleys, vacant houses and wooded areas for Stiles after his family reported Friday that he had been missing since 11 a.m. Dec. 4.

In the course of searching the woods south of Spring Creek Plaza, officers found the body of a 46-year-old Decatur man hanging from a tree, an apparent suicide, Walker said.

That man had been reported missing by his family Monday, the day his body was found, though family members had not seen him since Nov. 16, police Sgt. Steve Chabak said. The man had disappeared for periods of time in the past but always returned, he said.

Walker said the Oregon truck stop also served as a Greyhound bus hub. He said police worked with officials in Oregon to obtain video and passenger ticket information from the truck stop.

"We have a photo image of a gentleman at the truck stop who we believe is Gerald Stiles," Walker said. "We also confirmed that a bus ticket in the name of Gerald Stiles had been acquired through Greyhound bus services, and the destination was Medford, Ore."

Medford police have been contacted in an effort to locate Stiles in that city, Walker said.

The Decatur police investigation of Stiles' disappearance was impeded because Greyhound officials did not adequately research their database when asked to do so last week, Walker said. A subject matching Stiles' description purchased at ticket at Greyhound's Decatur hub at 12:40 p.m. Dec. 4, he said.

Also, members of Stiles' family did not mention he previously had lived in Oregon.

While Stiles does not appear to be in harm's way, the investigation into his disappearance will remain open until personal contact is made with him to be sure his actions were voluntary, Walker said.

[Faith]

I wonder if Gerald was confirmed located and they haven't updated the article?

[packy]

They believe it is him in the photo, but if they did confirm it I couldn't find any update.

[sarahhod]

Maybe this article will help;-


Search for Decatur Man Goes High Tech

http://illinoishomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=54371

Reported by: Erin Maloney/WCIA 3 News

Monday, Dec 8, 2008 @06:09pm CST


Decatur police have launched an all out blitz to find a man last seen Thursday. Sixty-two year old Gerald Stiles vanished from his home on North Edward Street.

Police worry he's not dressed for the cold weather. They also believe alcohol may be a factor in his dissapearance. Police say Stiles' life revolved around alcohol, so they're checking alleys, dumpsters, and abandoned houses for him.

The search is going high-tech as authorities are considering putting his picture on electronic billboards in town. They're also turning to Channel 18 for the first time to try and find him.

Police are also using "STIC", a network that distributes the information to police agencies throughout the state. They want to get his picture and information out because they know the clock is ticking.

"Basically this is an all-out blitz to find this gentleman. There is no logical reason for his dissapearance at this time. As each day goes by, we have to possibly consider there may be some kind of foul play involved, said Deputy Chief Todd Walker.

Stiles has a history of stroke, but police don't think that played a factor in his dissapearance. Police have double checked every place he frequents. They say style doesn't have a car or use public transportation. They haven't gotten any concrete tips.

[sarahhod]

Tuesday, December 9, 2008 6:21 AM CST

Effort to find Stiles is an 'all-out blitz'

http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2008/12/10/news/local/1037618.txt



DECATUR - Decatur police were conducting "an all-out blitz" on Monday in an effort to locate Gerald V. Stiles, 62, who has been missing from his home in the 1500 block of North Edward Street since 11 a.m. Thursday, said Decatur Deputy Chief of Police Todd Walker.

Speaking at a news conference Monday at the Law Enforcement Center, Walker said Stiles' two sons and his wife, who was hospitalized recovering from a stroke, reported him missing Friday morning. He said they mistakenly believed they had to wait 24 hours from the time he was missing before notifying police.

"Today we are expanding our investigation," Walker said. "We are re-interviewing the sons and his wife and rechecking his familiar stopping points. We have teams of officers checking wooded areas, vacant houses, alleys and Dumpsters."

The Illinois State Terrorism Intelligence Center was given information about Stiles on Monday which will be disseminated statewide, Walker said.

The only possible tip police received over the weekend was that Stiles may have been at a Christmas party Friday at the Oasis Center for homeless people but that could not be confirmed, Walker said.

Police are concerned because Stiles does not have access to a vehicle and walks wherever he goes, Walker said. Stiles does not suffer from Alzheimer's disease or any mental health problem but does require medications which he has not received, he said.

Also, Stiles' lifestyle revolves around the use of alcohol, Walker said. The weather has been extremely bitter and Stiles may not be dressed for the cold because he normally wears jeans and flannel shirts, he said.

[sarahhod]

Gerald’s case is now under Located/Recovered as there is no evidence at this time, he is missing or left on his own. Police Department was unable to confirm status. Future updates may change his status.

http://www.projectjason.org/forums/index.php?topic=4720.msg29196#msg29196

[Roamer]

Project Jason has removed him from their site. I don't know if this means he's been found safe or not.

[TigressPen]

Thursday, December 11, 2008 12:44 AM CST

Police say missing Decatur man likely in Oregon

DECATUR - Decatur police announced Wednesday that they believe they have located a 62-year-old man who has been the subject of an intensive missing person search since Friday.

Gerald V. Stiles was traced to Baker City, Ore., and apparently was headed via Greyhound bus to Medford, Ore., where he formerly resided.

Decatur Deputy Police Chief Todd Walker said the break in the case came Tuesday, when police were contacted by Land of Lincoln Credit Union, where Stiles had an account. He said officers had asked the credit union to watch for transactions on that account, and Stiles' credit card had been used Saturday at a truck stop in Baker City, Ore.

Police officers had searched alleys, vacant houses and wooded areas for Stiles after his family reported Friday that he had been missing since 11 a.m. Dec. 4.

In the course of searching the woods south of Spring Creek Plaza, officers found the body of a 46-year-old Decatur man hanging from a tree, an apparent suicide, Walker said.

That man had been reported missing by his family Monday, the day his body was found, though family members had not seen him since Nov. 16, police Sgt. Steve Chabak said. The man had disappeared for periods of time in the past but always returned, he said.

Walker said the Oregon truck stop also served as a Greyhound bus hub. He said police worked with officials in Oregon to obtain video and passenger ticket information from the truck stop.

"We have a photo image of a gentleman at the truck stop who we believe is Gerald Stiles," Walker said. "We also confirmed that a bus ticket in the name of Gerald Stiles had been acquired through Greyhound bus services, and the destination was Medford, Ore."

Medford police have been contacted in an effort to locate Stiles in that city, Walker said.

The Decatur police investigation of Stiles' disappearance was impeded because Greyhound officials did not adequately research their database when asked to do so last week, Walker said. A subject matching Stiles' description purchased at ticket at Greyhound's Decatur hub at 12:40 p.m. Dec. 4, he said.

Also, members of Stiles' family did not mention he previously had lived in Oregon.

While Stiles does not appear to be in harm's way, the investigation into his disappearance will remain open until personal contact is made with him to be sure his actions were voluntary, Walker said.

ringram@herald-review.com|421-7973

http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2008/12/11/news/local/1037670.txt

[annalyzer]

Nothing found. Not listed anywhere.

http://illinoismissingadults.com/

[sarahcolosimo]

Gary is my oldest brother- I am the baby of the family. I live in Florida and had just heard that he has been missing. Has anyone actually spoken to him since he left Illinois and arrived in Oregon? This site isn't clear on what has happened.

[Roamer]

I wish we had more info for you, but all we know is what the news articles say.

[sarahcolosimo]

thank you for the info. I appreciate your efforts.

[packy]

Welcome, Sarah. It appeared that he went to Oregon and sorry that we have no added news about Gerald. If you hear any news please let us know.

[PatC]

thank you for the info. I appreciate your efforts.

Welcome to HFTM, Sarah. Perhaps you could contact the law enforcement agencies listed in the article... they might provide information to you, a family member, that they would not provide to one of us.

Someone here will continue to follow the case, and if you find out something definitive I hope you'll let us know.

Again, welcome to our group. We're always pleased when family members come to us.

[Faith]

Sarah, I just contacted LE for you, Gerald was located safe in Medford, OR.