Crime & Safety

Turkish Official Visits Missing Engineer's Last Known Location

Bakersfield Police reported Ertug Ergun, 33, missing on June 20. Ergun is from Turkey and lives and works in Bakersfield. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies found his car on June 22 at Stonyvale Picnic area in Angeles National Forest.

It's been one week since sheriff's deputies identified a .

Now, Turkey's officials in the U.S. are working with local law enforcement to find Ergun's whereabouts in Angeles National Forest.

A helicopter dropped off Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team at Condor's Peak at 8:30 a.m. Friday, where the group hiked toward Stonyvale Picnic area, said Sheriff's Capt. Dave Silversparre of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station.  

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In a separate incident and before the search for Ergun began, about 5:10 p.m. Friday, rescuers were about 200 yards along Big Tujunga River from the Stonyvale Picnic area searching for Ergun when they , Montrose SAR member Fred Koegler told Patch. The baby was transported to a hospital in unknown condition. 

Following this rescue, Montrose Search and Rescue Team began a search along Big Tujunga River with another trained search dog named Sirius about 5:30 p.m. Friday. 

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This dog has what's known as "nose time" to help search for Ergun, said volunteer Michael Kaae. 

The dog can exaust itself, meaning the more the dog pants, the less smell it picks up, Kaae said. The dog rested before the hike to find Ergun. 

It's unclear what may have happened to him.

Turkey's Consul General Aydin Topcu visited the picnic area to thank the search and rescue teams. Topcu told officials that he hopes Ergun will be found and examined the terrain. 

Sheriff's Capt. Dave Silversparre was at the scene of the search and rescue efforts. 

"I'm very grateful for search and rescue to be available for people who are lost in the forest," Silversparre said. 

"This has been a week-long dedicated search involving search teams from the entire county, which has included horseback, motorcycles, dogs, helicopters, [in addition to] well-trained search and rescue teams," Silversparre said. 

Bakersfield Police Department is handling the overall investigation, however, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has stepped up to assist in the search for the missing man, Silversparre added. 

Ergun both lives and works in the Bakersfield area. He is described as 6 feet 2 inches, 135 pounds, with brown hair and wearing glasses.

Officials urge anyone with information about the Ergun to call the handling investigator, Bakersfield Police Department Detective William Hughes at (661) 326-3501. Or contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Crescenta Valley Station at (818) 248-3464.

Anyone who wants to remain anonymous can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org 


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