Published: February 04, 2008 06:22 pm      

MISSING MAN: Search continues for missing man

Lockport man left home Wednesday and has not been heard from since

As the search for Arnold P. Barnett continues, State Police Investigator John DiPasquale said Monday troopers are looking into the possibility that he drove off a road somewhere in the county.

Barnett, 57, of Locust Street Extension, Lockport, was reported missing at 6 p.m. Thursday, when his wife reported he hadn’t been seen in over 24 hours. Chairman of special education at Pembroke Central School District, Barnett reportedly left home about noon Wednesday to go to the Seneca Niagara Casino.

Troopers contacted Seneca Niagara State Police Investigator Michael Kozlowski, who said an internal investigation revealed Barnett last used his Casino Players Account at a “Let it Ride” table at 12:50 a.m. Thursday. A check of the casino’s parking areas and nearby city streets failed to turn anything up.

Troopers checked roads leading to and from the casino, including Lockport Road, the LaSalle Expressway, routes 31 and 104, River Road and Upper Mountain Road. They checked side streets around the casino and area hotel parking lots.

They also checked state and town parks on and around Route 18 near Lake Ontario. The search included state police helicopters.

Police have also checked the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport’s parking lots, local hospitals, jails, holding centers and the Pembroke High School parking lot, as well as all Batavia hotels and motels.

In addition, police contacted Canadian and U.S. customs and found no record of Barnett entering Canada. Bridge officials on both sides of the border have been told to activate a “hit” if the car attempts to cross the border.

Barnett’s wife told state troopers he did not appear despondent when he left Wednesday and he does not have a cell phone. In addition, she told police Saturday that Barnett’s credit cards and EZ-Pass have not been used since early Thursday.

“We’re checking everything we can possibly think of,” State Trooper William Higgins said. “We’re getting tips now that it’s been in the media, sightings of him and the car. We’re checking everything out and there’s been no developments.”

Troopers talked with a Day Road man, a good friend of Barnett’s, who said that for Barnett to leave and not call his wife would be very out of character.

When he left home, Barnett was wearing blue jeans and a brown leather jacket. He is described as 5-feet-6, 150 pounds with gray hair, brown eyes and glasses. He was driving a white, two-door 1998 Buick Riviera, registered to his wife, with a license plate BNM 6843.

DiPasquale said members of Barnett’s family have traveled from Long Island to help with the search. Barnett’s friends — including members of Medina’s Shelridge Country Club, where he plays golf — have also joined the search.

Anyone with information about Barnett’s whereabouts is asked to call the state police Lockport barracks at 434-5588.