NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 1999

VEHICLE OF MISSING MAN DISCOVERED IN KENTUCKY

CARY, NC – The 1992, blue and silver Chevrolet Blazer owned by missing Cary convenience store worker Larry Douglas Jones has been found in rural Kentucky. So far, there is no sign of foul play and no sign of Jones who disappeared on March 16, 1998. The SUV, which had apparently been in that location for several seasons, had been covered with a tarp. Limbs and leaves had been placed over the tarp. Other than some fishing tackle, clothing, and food, there was little else in the vehicle.

"While we’re obviously relieved that Mr. Jones wasn’t found harmed at the scene, finding his vehicle leads to more questions," said Cary Police Chief WJ "Windy" Hunter.

The SUV was found off of a logging road deep in the woods near Dycusburg, Kentucky by the property owner. While the license plate and registration were missing, the Crittendon County Sheriff’s department was able to trace the car using its vehicle identification number which had not been tampered with. Kentucky officials matched the number with computer information provided by Cary PD twenty months ago when their national search for Jones began.

The Crittendon Sheriff’s Office is shipping the Blazer to the state’s crime lab in Frankfurt for further evaluation.

Dycusburg, KY is located in the southwest corner of the state near the Mississippi River and very close to popular fishing spots. In addition, a former Cary citizen in June reported seeing and speaking to a man she thought was Jones at the Casino Resorts Hotel in Gulfport, Mississippi.

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.

"We are continuing to pursue all leads," said Cary Police Lt. Steve Lee. "Our utmost concern continues to be Mr. Jones’ safety. Even if Mr. Jones had planned to leave the area, it’s possible that he was robbed and abducted before he could carry out his plan or anytime over the last 20 months."

Cary Police met with Jones’ family on Monday to give them the latest update on the investigation.

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