New information regarding a South Surrey man who was reported missing last spring has not solved the mystery.
But police say they hope a recent tip indicating Vaclav (Walter) Simek was dropped off near 200 Street and 40 Avenue on March 7 will trigger the memory of someone who could help locate him.
“It’s not a significant change to the investigation… (but it is) information we feel we should share in case other people or witnesses might have seen him in that area,” Surrey RCMP Cpl. Bert Paquet said Friday.
Simek was reported missing in April. At that time, police understood the 52-year-old was last seen in late February.
A week after first requesting the public’s assistance, police released a photograph of Simek’s springer spaniel, Tucker. The dog is always at Simek’s side, police said at the time.
Prior to being dropped off March 7, Simek rented a car to move items from his home in the 16300-block of 8 Avenue to an unknown residence. Since the return of the car, Simek has not accessed his bank accounts or used his cellphone.
Paquet said there remains no evidence of foul play and no sign he has left the country.
“Until we find evidence to the contrary, (we’re) hoping to find him well,” he said.
Simek is described as an avid outdoorsman, and it is thought he may be hiking or camping.
Simek is described as a six-foot-three, 210-pound Caucasian man, with brown hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, quoting file number 2013-43817.