The search for a missing Toronto brother expands to Scarborough

Toronto police are continuing to search for an elderly man with dementia who left his North York home for a walk Tuesday afternoon and was last seen on surveillance video in Scarborough Wednesday evening.

Insp. Jeff Bangild told reporters Wednesday evening that police had moved their command post to the area of ​​Victoria Park Avenue and Ellesmere Road after hearing that 76-year-old Norman Gray, also known as “Bill,” had been seen in the area.

“Information is coming not only from this area, but also from the area where he lives,” Banglid said.

Gray left his residence in the area of ​​Torbarry Road and West Sheppard Avenue, east of Highway 400, around 12 a.m. Tuesday — more than 24 hours ago.

Police say he is about five feet tall with curly gray hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, a red and blue shirt, blue jeans, a black jacket and white shoes.

“We have a lot of information that needs to be tracked, so we went through what's called a level one search. This will allow us to provide more resources, allow for a wider search area and follow up on that information and tips,” Banghild said, adding that “a lot” of video evidence has been collected in relation to Gray's disappearance.

Gray, who has Alzheimer's disease, has been known to walk with his wife of more than 50 years, but on Tuesday he went out alone.

“The other day he walked for 15 minutes and came home by himself – and he hasn't been surprised in a long time – so we assumed he would be fine,” says one of them. His daughters Cassandra Gray said this at a previous press conference. “But not much this time.”

“It was very painful. We searched for hours,” he continued. “It's very tiring, but the goal is to find my father.”

Cassandra described Norman as a nature lover and said he may have become confused while admiring the garden.

“He may have stopped by the residence and observed their landscaping. He is a great gardener,” he said.

In turn, police are asking residents to check their yards, sheds, fences and other places where someone might be hiding.

Schutt told reporters that Gray had disappeared once before but returned voluntarily. Police

“That was not the case in this case,” he said. “That's why we're so concerned about safety.”

If Gray is seen, police ask them to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-808-3100.

“He is a very gentle person, approach him. “He's been out for a long time, so I don't doubt he's hungry, maybe he's thirsty, it's been a very warm day today,” Bangild said.