Maple Shade Police Seek Public's Help In Locating Missing Elderly Man
By Diana Rocco
MAPLE SHADE, N.J. (CBS) - The Family of Cyril Gomes is starting to think the worst. The 78-year-old has been missing for more than a day.
"The weather and everything last night, the heat and torrential downpour," said Ephraim Morgan, Gomes' son in law. "You don't want to think the worst, but it's in the back of your mind."
Gomes lives in Hackettstown, Warren County, but was staying with his daughter in Maple Shade for a few weeks. Sunday he got into an argument with her over dinner and stormed out of the apartment.
"We don't know what's going on, especially with a heart condition. He could have stumbled and fell in a ditch or something," said Morgan, who added Gomes often ventures out across the street to nearby stores, but after several hours and three unsuccessful attempts to find him, they called police.
"We went to all hospitals and checked motels. We did check the wooded area across from Park Crossing Apartments last night and did go back and check the wooded areas at day break again," said Lt. Jeffrey Hoch of the Maple Shade Police Department.
Gomes is 5'3 and only weighs about 150 pounds. He was last seen wearing a burgundy polo and khaki pants. He recently had a quadruple bypass and is on medication.
"I'm just concerned for his health. We have no contact for him and this is a really bad situation," Morgan said.
Gomes does not carry a cell phone. His family believes he may be headed to another family member's home in North Jersey or in Long Island.
Anyone with information is asked to call Maple Shade Police 856-234-8300 and reference case 2012-11259.
