NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 25, 2000

CHARGES CHANGE AGAINST FORMER MISSING MAN

CARY, NC – The original charge is being dropped but more are being added against Larry Douglas Jones, the former Cary Parkway Convenience Center worker who reappeared two weeks ago after having been missing since 1998. According to investigators with the Cary Police who are working with the Wake County District Attorney’s office, the original charge of one count of embezzlement against Cary Oil Company is being dismissed. However, two new warrants charging embezzlement—one for $22,589 and the other for $10,733.84--are being drawn and served on Jones today. Jones is expected to turn himself in at 2:00 PM today at the Wake County Public Safety Center. As a class H felony, embezzlement carries a maximum imprisonment of ten years and/or a fine as determined by the court for each count.

Cary officials became aware of Jones’ disappearance shortly after 6:00 AM on March 16, 1998 when a police officer on routine patrol pulled into the Parkway Convenience Store at 1450 Kildaire Farm Road and noticed that Jones, a 10-year employee with the store, was not around. The officer notified Cary PD that she was investigating further and found no one in the unlocked store. An undisclosed amount of money was taken, and the store’s video surveillance tape was also missing. By the investigation’s second day, Cary PD began to question whether Jones, then 48 years old, was actually abducted or whether Jones had faked the incident to cover a planned exit since investigators uncovered several pieces of evidence suggesting that Jones may have intended to leave town at some point.

In November of 1999, Jones’ 1992 blue and silver Chevrolet was found in rural southwest Kentucky. There was no sign of foul play. The SUV, which had apparently been in that location for several seasons, had been covered with a tarp nailed into the ground. Limbs and leaves had been placed over the tarp. Other than some fishing tackle, clothing, and food, there was little else in the vehicle.

Under the direction and in the presence of prominent Raleigh defense attorney Russell DeMent, Larry Jones contacted Cary Police on April 11^th saying that he was okay and that he had arranged his own disappearance more than two years ago. It appears that Jones may have spent much of his time away in Gulfport, Mississippi.

###