Sheriff’s department searches for missing 66-year-old Ramona man

A search is under way for a 66-year-old Ramona man who walked away from his residence in the 17000 block of Handlebar Road between 2:30 and 6:30 Tuesday morning.

Carl Lee Salayer suffers from Parkinson’s Disease and dementia. The white male is 6 feet, 3 inches tall, weighs about 140 pounds and is described as being mostly bald with some gray hair and a gray moustache.

About 50 members from the sheriff’s department, including search and rescue teams, are looking for Salayer and have set up a post at the corner of Highland Valley and Handlebar roads. Lt. Hank Turner of the sheriff’s Ramona station said a Nixle alert had been sent and an ASTREA helicopter was called in for the search.

Search and Rescue members are going from house to house in the area to see if anyone has seen Salayer, Turner said.

“He has wandered away before but never to this extent,” said Turner. His family discovered him missing when they woke up in the morning and do not know what he was wearing, according to the lieutenant.

The sheriff’s department said Salayer is soft-spoken but hears well and may attempt to hide from law enforcement and citizens. Anyone who sees a man matching that description should call 911.

Turner asked that residents who live in the vicinity of Highland Valley and Handlebar roads check their property to see if he might be there.

“That would be a great help,” said Turner.