Still no sign of missing northern Ont. city councillor, police say

Sudbury police said Tuesday they are still searching missing city councillor Michael Vagnini.

Vagnini was reported missing by his family at 11 p.m. on Saturday. On Tuesday, police gave more details.

Michael Vagnini, 62, left home Jan. 27 in his Ram 1500 truck and had not been seen since. His family said he did not have his cellphone or his medication with him. (File)

 

"Michael was last seen driving the truck around 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 27 in the area of RR55 and McCharles Lake Road," police said.

"Although officers continue to dedicate resources to the area where Michael and the vehicle were last seen and where he is known to frequent, due to the time lapse and being mobile in a vehicle, there is a possibility that Michael traveled well outside of the McCharles Lake Road area."

Other municipal and provincial law enforcement agencies have been informed as well. 

"Officers continue to check publicly accessible parking lots, establishments and roadways, as well as the hospital," police said.

"There is concern for his well-being based on medication he requires and the fact that he does not have his medication on him," said Kaitlyn Dunn, GSPS corporate communications supervisor.

Police are asking all residents and business owners in Greater Sudbury to help in the search.

"We are asking the entire community of Greater Sudbury to be on the lookout for the vehicle in parking lots across the city and for residents and business owners to check all outbuildings on your property," police said in a news release.

Vagnini left his cell phone at home when he left on Saturday.

Michael Vagnini was seen wearing the yellow sweater, green pants and black running shoes described in the Greater Sudbury Police Service's news release on Jan. 27/24 at a demonstration on Paris Street. (Facebook/Sudbury Freedom Convoy)

He is said to be wearing a yellow hoodie, green pants and black running shoes and was seen driving a 2021 black Ram 1500 truck in the area of MR 55 and McCharles Lake Road. The Ontario licence plate for the vehicle is BK 22178.

An undated photo provided by the Greater Sudbury Police Service of the black black 2021 Ram 1500 truck that Ward 2 city councillor Michael Vagnini was believed to be driving when he was reported missing on Jan. 27/24. (Supplied/Greater Sudbury Police Service)

This a densely wooded area, which Dunn said poses complications for the search.

"It is quite a vast area with multiple off-roads as well as bushed area, so we're asking the public's assistance that if you do see Michael Vagnini to contact police with any information," she said.

Vagnini's family member, Darren Vagnini, told CTV News that the truck's taillight is out on the passenger side.

Vagnini's family member, Darren Vagnini, said the 2021 black Ram 1500 truck's passenger taillight is damaged. (Supplied/Darren Vagnini)

Dunn said officers have been searching since Vagnini was first reported missing.

"Our search and rescue team with the assistance of emergency response unit, control operations and rural community response unit are searching the area of McCharles Lake Road and using the remotely piloted aircraft system as assistance for that search," she said.

The intersection of Regional Road 55 and McCharles Lake Road in Greater Sudbury the afternoon of Jan. 28/24. (Angela Gemmill/CTV News Northern Ontario)

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Dunn said that Sudbury police have also reached out to OPP to request the use of the helicopter.

"Right now, due to weather conditions, it is unable to fly, but that will be re-evaluated as time progresses," she said.

Dunn told CTV News that police have received multiple tips from concerned community members.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or the whereabouts of Vagnini or his vehicle is asked to contact the GSPS at 705-675-9171 quoting incident number SU24 006569.

Sudbury police provided this photo of the front of the black black 2021 Ram 1500 truck - Ontario license plate BK22 178 that Ward 2 city councillor Michael Vagnini was believed to be driving when he was reported missing on Jan. 27/24. (Supplied/Greater Sudbury Police Service)