Edmonton police are asking for the public’s help finding Pedro Ramirez, a 79-year-old man last seen walking downtown early Monday morning.
Ramirez was last seen around 4:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, near 101 Street and 102A Avenue.
He has dementia and needs regular access to medication. His first language is Spanish, and he speaks limited English. Police and his family are worried about him.
Pedro Ramirez, 79, was last seen Nov. 2 near 101 Street and 102A Avenue. (Photo: Edmonton Police Service)
What Pedro Ramirez looks like
The Edmonton Police Service describes him as:
Age: 79
Height: About 5'6"
Weight: About 200 pounds
Hair: Salt and pepper
Last seen wearing: A navy-blue ball cap with a light blue brim, a black leather jacket and blue jeans
Also: He walks with a walker and has been seen carrying a red grocery bag
Were you downtown early Monday morning?
If you were walking, driving or working near 101 Street and 102A Avenue around 4:30 a.m. Monday, think back. Did you see an older man with a walker, in a navy and light blue cap and a black leather jacket, maybe carrying a red grocery bag?
If you run a business or live in a building downtown, check your security camera or dashcam footage from early Monday morning onward.
Police haven’t said which way he was heading, or whether anyone has seen him since.
Have you seen him?
If you’ve seen Pedro Ramirez, or know where he might be, call the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567, or #377 from a mobile phone.
Even a small detail, like where or when you saw him, could help police piece together where he went.
If you’re with him right now, or he seems to be in danger, call 911.
If you find him
Stay calm and speak slowly. Spanish is his first language. If you speak some, a few simple words can help:
“¿Está bien?” (Are you OK?)
“¿Usted es Pedro?” (Are you Pedro?)
Stay with him if it’s safe, and call police.
How you can help
Share his photo. The more people who see it, the better the chance someone recognizes him.
Check your property. If you live or work downtown, look in lobbies, parkades, stairwells and covered entrances.
Only call police with real sightings or information. Don’t spread rumours or guesses online.
Why police are concerned
Ramirez has dementia and needs regular access to medication, police say. Dementia can affect memory and a person’s sense of where they are, although it’s different for everyone.
The Alzheimer Society of Canada says about 60% of people with dementia-related memory problems get lost at some point. Its Finding Your Way program has resources for families worried about a loved one going missing.
For now, police are asking anyone who knows where Ramirez might be to call them.
If someone you know goes missing
There’s no waiting period to report someone missing in Canada. You don’t have to wait 24 hours.
If the person is in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, call your local police non-emergency line. In Edmonton, that’s 780-423-4567, or #377 from a mobile phone.
It helps to have ready a recent photo, a description, what they were wearing, when and where they were last seen, any medical conditions or medications, and the languages they speak.
This story will be updated as police release more information.
Comments