Greater Sudbury Police continue to ask the public's assistance in locating Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini and have established a dedicated phone line for any information about his whereabouts.
Anyone with information related to the whereabouts of Michael Vagnini or the vehicle is asked to contact police at 705-675-9171 extension 2320, the dedicated line, and police state it "will be checked regularly by detectives in our Criminal Investigation Division."
However, if you have immediate and actionable information related to the whereabouts of Vagnini or his vehicle, please call 9-1-1.
In addition to reiterating the known details, GSPS spoke to the use of the OPP helicopter.
"We continue to liaise with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in relation to the use of the helicopter," reads the statement. "Due to the current weather conditions, it is not safe to fly, however, that is regularly re-evaluated throughout each day.
The release also states officers have notified municipal and provincial law enforcement agencies of the incident including information related to Vagnini and the description of his vehicle.
"Officers continue to check publicly accessible parking lots, establishments and roadways, as well as the hospital. We continue to ask community members to be on the lookout for the vehicle in both public and private parking lots across the city and for residents and business owners to check all outbuildings on your property."
Reported missing on the evening of Jan. 27, Vagnini is described as: 62 years of age, male, white, 5-11 tall, 260 lbs, with short, black hair and an unshaven face. He was last seen wearing a bright yellow hooded sweater, green pants and black running shoes.
Police have reported that Vagnini was driving a black 2021 Ram 1500 truck - Ontario licence plate BK 22178.
The truck’s passenger-side tail light is broken.
Greater Sudbury Police began searching the area where Vagnini was last seen, around Regional Road 55 and McCharles Lake Road, between Whitefish and Naughton, on the weekend.
Police said there is concern for the Ward 2 councillor’s well-being, adding Vagnini requires medications, but has none with him, and “may appear confused and disoriented.”
Vagnini’s intended destination is unknown, and his family has stated that he does not have his cellphone with him.
While GSPS has been searching for Vagnini, a parallel search has been taking place involving multiple community members concerned for his well-being. Numerous people reported on social media that they’ve been driving around Greater Sudbury in search of Vagnini and his truck.
Police have brought out a drone to assist in the search, alongside the Search and Rescue Team and the Rural Community Response Unit.
They “have been and continue to extensively search the Walden, Lively, Naughton and Whitefish areas, however, there have not been any confirmed sightings of Michael or the vehicle,” according to their latest media release, issued at 4:33 p.m. on Monday.
GSPS also note that Vagnini is believed to have been driving his truck at the time he went missing and was “likely mobile for quite some time before the incident was reported to police.”
The following is the known timeline of events:
- Friday evening: On Friday night, Vagnini posted on Facebook that he was looking into purchasing a fire truck and water rescue craft for Beaver Lake.
- Saturday, daytime: At some point during the day, Vagnini posed for a photo with Freedom Convoy protesters during their weekly gathering outside of Bell Park.
- Saturday evening: Vagnini was reported missing to GSPS.
- Sunday, noon: GSPS issued their first media release indicating that Vagnini is a missing person, prompting numerous community members to begin their own searches.
Greater Sudbury Police Service has requested the public’s help in locating Vagnini, and have asked that anyone with information on his or his truck’s whereabouts to phone 705-675-9171.
