Pittsburgh police are asking the public to help find Eric Velez, a 62-year-old man with dementia who was reported missing Monday from Dilworth Street in Mount Washington. Investigators say he may need medical attention, which puts a clock on the search. Anyone who spots him is being urged to call right away.
The Pittsburgh Police Bureau's Special Victims Unit is leading the search, according to WPXI. The station reports Velez was reported missing around 12:30 p.m. Monday. Police say he has been diagnosed with dementia and memory-loss issues and may require medical attention.
The report from WTAE puts the time of the missing-person report at about 12:37 p.m. Monday, also on Dilworth Street. The two outlets differ by a few minutes on that timing, and neither says where Velez was last seen beyond that location.
What Velez Looks Like and What He Was Wearing
Per the WPXI report, Velez stands 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs around 140 pounds. He was last seen wearing dark pants, a tan coat with a fur collar, a black sweatshirt and a dark-colored baseball cap with “Shammy” written across the front.
That cap may be the easiest thing to spot from a distance. Neighbors and anyone walking, driving or working around Mount Washington and nearby streets may want to keep an eye out for it.
An Earlier Report Adds Context
This is not the first time Velez's name has appeared in a missing-person alert. In a separate September report, WPXI said police announced he had been located and was safe after an earlier search. In that report, WPXI said family members described him as someone who tends to wander and may require assistance.
Details in the two reports do not line up neatly. The September account listed Velez as 5 feet, 10 inches and around 150 pounds, and WTAE's coverage of that earlier case gave his age as 64, while the current alerts say 62. It is not confirmed whether the two reports involve the same incident or separate ones, so those descriptions are best treated as separate.
How to Help
Anyone with information about where Velez is should call Pittsburgh police at 412-323-7141 or dial 911 immediately. No update on whether he has been found has been reported. If you see someone matching his description who seems confused or in need of help, calling it in is the safest move.
