HOPATCONG BOROUGH, NJ (Sussex County) – Attempts to locate a missing Hopatcong man, whose vehicle was located in Page County, Va., have been unsuccessful as of Thursday evening, according to Major – Chief Deputy John Baker of the Page County Sheriff’s Office.
Edward Piccola has been missing since May 30 and was last seen at Krogh’s Restaurant & Brew Pub in Sparta.
On June 3rd, Page County first responders were dispatched to a report of a vehicle, which was located at a public boat ramp off of South Page Valley Road, partially submerged in water, Baker said.
Responding units verified that the vehicle was unoccupied, no persons were found in the immediate area, and the vehicle was pulled away from the rising water of the Shenandoah River, Baker said.
Deputies with the Page County Sheriff’s Office were able to identify the registered owner as Piccola, and were able to determine that he had been reported as a missing person out of Hopatcong, Baker said.
Piccola is described as a white male, 36, 5’9, 140-160lbs. He has no known ties to the area, Baker said.
The Page County Sheriff’s Office, Page County Emergency Services, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office Bloodhound Unit, Virginia State Police Aviation, Virginia State Police Search and Recovery Team, Blue and Gray Search Dog teams, and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries have conducted search operations in the area.
All attempts to locate Piccola have been unsuccessful to this point. The search operations will continue as weather and water conditions allow, Baker said.
“Law enforcement officials have received no information that indicates any threat to the community,” Baker said.
The Page County Sheriff’s Office is working in conjunction with law enforcement authorities in New Jersey, as well as with multiple agencies in Virginia, to continue the investigation into this incident, Baker said.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help raise money that will go to Edward Piccola’s sister, Holly Piccola, to distribute where financial help is needed to find her brother.
“Holly Piccola and the rest of his family are having to travel from Florida, take time off work and spend money on search efforts for Edward. I know a lot of people feel helpless in this search and would love to contribute to the search efforts and help the Piccolas.” According to the GoFundMe page.
Any that has information related to Piccola is asked to call Lieutenant Tim Lansberry, with the Page County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 540-743-6571 or the Hopatcong Police Department at 973-398-5000.
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By: Jay Edwards Follow on Twitter | Like on Facebook
