Pasco Sheriff's deputies are searching for 69-year-old Lawrence Smith, who was last seen around noon on Tuesday in the Glenwood Drive area of Wesley Chapel. Investigators describe him as 5 feet 7 inches tall and about 160 pounds, with brown eyes and gray hair.
The search was announced in a post from the Pasco Sheriff.
How to Report a Sighting
The Pasco Sheriff's Office lists contact information for emergencies and non-emergency tips. For emergencies, the Pasco Sheriff's Office directs people to dial 911. For non-emergency tips, the office lists a dedicated line at 727-847-8102, option 7, and also maintains a separate Crime Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488.
The sheriff's office has not released additional details about Smith's medical condition, direction of travel, or the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. The original post notes that its social media account is not monitored around the clock, underscoring why tips are best directed to the dedicated phone lines rather than left as replies or messages online.
Separate School Alert in the Area
Around the same time, three Pasco County schools near Wesley Chapel were placed on alert due to nearby law enforcement activity. According to Tampa Bay 28, Wiregrass Elementary, Wiregrass Ranch High School and Dr. John Long Middle School were affected. That outlet reported the person being sought in that search was described by the sheriff's office as unarmed and not considered dangerous, and was quickly located and returned to North Tampa Behavioral Health.
Deputies have not said whether that incident is connected to the search for Smith. For now, the sheriff's office is relying on the public's help to track down the missing 69-year-old, whose last confirmed location remains the Glenwood Drive area of Wesley Chapel.
