Search and rescue teams on Sunday were combing the area around Breese for an elderly man missing for more than two days.
Vincent B. Wesselmann, 75, was last seen about 11 a.m. Friday in the area of the Breese Grain Co. at North Walnut and First streets in Breese. Police and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department have been searching the town and the rural areas surrounding it with no success.
Breese Police Chief Bob Fix said the search was temporarily halted Sunday afternoon to regroup and replace the volunteer searchers with search and rescue teams from several departments, including Tri-City, Gateway and Eureka as well as Clinton County.
“”Before we had mostly residents and volunteers, now we’re using the dogs and the fire departments,”” Fix said.
As far as they know, Wesselmann had no significant medical conditions or other problems that would explain his disappearance, police said. “”We’re looking for anyone who might have seen him,”” Fix said.
The city of Breese has gotten the word out, with announcements during Easter Mass and several searches of the entire town.
Wesselmann was last seen wearing dark blue pants, a shirt and a dark-blue baseball cap. He was on foot.