RANCHO CUCAMONGA >> Ten sheriff’s detectives and several search teams have been scouring the area for a missing Colorado man last seen in Rancho Cucamonga earlier this month, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials said. “We’ve had a lot of people looking for him and following up on leads,” said Teresa McMahon, spokeswoman for the Rancho Cucamonga station. “But as of right now we don’t have any information that shows that any foul play was involved.”
Oliver Jones, 37, was traveling from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, Nevada, with a cousin on Saturday, April 4 when the two decided to stop in Rancho Cucamonga for dinner.
The pair had an argument, and Jones walked away to rent a hotel room.
Jones checked out early the next day, hailed a taxi and went to Walmart on Foothill Boulevard where he was captured on surveillance footage purchasing several items, including clothing, water and camping equipment. That was the last time Jones was seen.
“We have video of them going to the Claim Jumper, we have evidence of him staying at the hotel and have footage of him making the purchases at Walmart, but right now we don’t know where he is,” McMahon said.
Jones’ family members have been in Rancho Cucamonga searching for their loved one and found camping equipment they believe was purchased by Jones in a field behind the Walmart. Investigators are still trying to determine if the items found by the family are the same items bought by Jones.
There have also been reports Jones purchased a pre-paid cell phone after his phone was stolen in Los Angeles. The prepaid cell phone was found unopened at a homeless encampment but McMahon said it was not among the items he purchased at Walmart.
“We have a copy of the receipt which shows the items he purchased,” she said. “However we didn’t see him purchase that phone.”
Investigators placed a ping, or trace, on his stolen phone Thursday night and will be speaking to the cousin who last saw Jones on April 4.
McMahon said authorities will continue searching for the missing man.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to 909-477-2800 or We-Tip at 800-78-CRIME.
