Toronto police have made another appeal for information, pleading for the public’s help to locate a 90-year-old man who went missing 11 days ago from the city’s east end.
Investigators say Joseph, whose last name has not been released, was last seen on Thursday, Jan. 29, just before midnight, in the Little India area, near Gerrard Street East and Coxwell Avenue.
He is described as five-foot-five with white hair and brown eyes.
Joseph wore a beige coat, a red and black striped vest, blue jeans, and blue rubber walking shoes.
Police say he may be driving a greyish blue Toyota Corolla with the Ontario license plate DCKX933.
“He’s a 90-year-old man, and with the weather … it’s been frigid temperatures, so we’re really concerned for his safety,” Const. Shannon Eames told CTV News Toronto’s Beth Macdonell on Monday.
“As we know, it’s been the coldest it’s been for quite a while, these frigid temperatures. And I mean, it’s not good for anybody … especially the elderly, they can easily become confused, which is our biggest concern, and get frostbite within minutes.”
Eames said Joseph may have travelled a significant distance over the last 11 days.
‘Keep your eyes open’
“We’re just appealing to even people in the GTA or surrounding areas, just keep your eyes open,” she said.
“If you’re driving to work on the highway, just keep your eyes open for his vehicle. And if you do see someone that is driving a vehicle that matches his description, call 911.”
Eames said Joseph does not speak English. He speaks either Mandarin or Cantonese and police are concerned as he may be unable to properly communicate with those around him to seek assistance.
“We’re hoping that people will notice that this is an elderly man who is out and about and just bring him in,” she said, urging anyone who sees a man matching the description to immediately contact the authorities.
“Call 911 and we can assist. We’re very worried. I can’t stress enough that an elderly person to be missing for 11 days is very concerning. And again, with the frigid temperatures, it isn’t good for anybody. So especially because he is elderly, we are very concerned that at this point he could be anywhere.”
On Sunday, Const. Laura Brabant posted a video on social media saying police just want to “bring (Joseph) home safely.”
Like Eames, she also said there is a possibility, however, that the missing senior may not be in the Toronto.
“We are asking our friends and neighbours around the city of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area to please keep a lookout for this vehicle and to please call 911 immediately if you see it,” Brabant said, adding that he could also still be in the city and getting around on foot.
“If you have anywhere on your property whether a person may seek shelter from the elements, please check those areas. This could be a shed or under a deck or in a garage. Please just take a moment and check your property and just make sure that Joseph is not seeking shelter from the cold weather on your property.”
Investigators have said that Joseph resides in northwest Scarborough, near Pharmacy and Glendinning avenues, just south of Steeles Avenue East.
In the days following his disappearance, Duty Insp. Jon Rose said Toronto Police Service is “putting all the resources possible into this situation.”
In a previous email to CP24, police said the missing elderly man has medical conditions that require specific medication, which he does not have with him.
- READ MORE: ‘Concern grows’: Search continues for missing 90-year-old last seen in Toronto’s east end
Toronto police are urging anyone with information, including video surveillance, to contact them or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
