Missing Dudley man is wanted over sex offence allegations
A Dudley man missing for almost four days is wanted in connection with serious sexual offences, it was revealed today.
Up to 75 officers, including armed officers from both West Midlands and West Mercia police have been involved in the search for Garry Foster who disappeared from his home in The Priory, Dudley, on Sunday afternoon shortly after the sex offence allegations surfaced.
Police believe he could be using self-taught survival skills to lay low in remote countryside.
A roadside camera picked up his car – said to have distinctive yellow fog lights – in Worcestershire at 3.26pm on Sunday but there have been no further sightings.
The missing man – who has connections in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Staffordshire – is a registered firearms licence holder and it’s understood he may be in possession of a 12-bore pump-action shotgun.
West Midlands Police Superintendent Andy Parsons, said: “Mr Foster disappeared after allegations were made against him; these were of a serious sexual nature against people known to him and are part of a separate investigation by West Midlands Police. Our absolute priority at the moment is to locate Garry and ensure he’s safe and well.
“Mr Foster is known to spend weekends or several days in remote locations, living off the land and using his firearms to shoot vermin and wildlife.
“We’re liaising with the farming community and urging them to be on the lookout for him and his vehicle, and similarly are asking walkers or hikers to report any potential sightings.
“He’s known to practise his outdoor hobby across a vast area of south Staffordshire and Worcestershire – it’s an extensive potential search scene so we’re really keen for members of the public to report suspected sightings or information that could lead us locate him.
“Having spoken to family members we understand he was in a distressed, emotional state when he was last seen – and given that he’s not been seen for almost four days now we’re growing increasingly worried.”
Mr Foster is described as white and medium build with dark, receding and greying hair; he has a greying moustache with a goatee beard. When last seen he was wearing a grey t-shirt and black jeans.
Police have drafted in specialist search units and the force helicopter in a bid to locate him.
Supt Parsons added: "Given that Mr Foster is believed to be in possession of a shotgun we’d urge members of the public not to approach him but to contact police on the 999 or 101 numbers.”
Updated: Body believed to be missing Dudley Man Garry Foster is found
