If you are at home in Lynn Valley, drop what you’re doing and go check your backyard and shed.
That’s the plea from North Vancouver RCMP and the family of Vincent Che, the Lynn Valley man who was last seen leaving his home on April 2.
“It’s been six days and we do need our dad to come home,” Che’s son Ricky said at a press conference held on Monday. “We’re very worried and we need all the help that we can get.”
North Vancouver RCMP Sgt. Peter DeVries said officers have stepped up patrols and gone door to door in the area but, he added, people in North Vancouver, particularly those in the Lynn Valley area, are being asked to check their backyards and sheds.
“Sometimes people who go missing in these situations, especially after a period of days, seek out shelter. They feel lost and confused and may end up going inside a building they’re not familiar with,” he said. Often, they end up in somebody’s backyard. They don’t know where they are but they need shelter.”
Ricky said his father’s memory is fading, though he is in good physical health. Che routinely goes for walks in the mornings. He frequents Lynn Valley Centre, Lynn Headwaters Regional Park, particularly the Rice Lake Trail, and he occasionally goes to the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve.
A small army of volunteers organized by Che’s family have been out canvassing the neighbourhood and a lot of tips have come in but DeVries said there haven’t been any confirmed sightings.
Che isn’t known to disappear for long periods of time though, Ricky added.
Che is friendly and speaks “decent” English, Ricky said. But, DeVries added, anyone who has been lost outside for that period of time is likely to be confused and in shock.
Che is described as a 60-year-old Asian man, standing five-foot-seven and weighing about 150 pounds.
He was last seen wearing a blue vest, brown checkered shirt, jeans and bright neon green shoes, which DeVries is drawing special attention to.
“Those runners are going to stick out,” he said. “Anyone who sees someone who they think matches the description of Mr. Che, please call 911,” DeVries said.
