MEDIA RELEASE

Walter Rankin

Big Island police are searching for a 50-year-old New Jersey man reported missing.

Walter Rankin of Florham Park, N.J, was last seen Friday (Dec. 24) after having rented a bike at the Queens Marketplace with the intention of riding into town to meet locals in Kona.

He is described as an African-American, 5-foot-11, 190 pounds and bald. He has many earring piercings and a tattoo of cheetah marks across his back and shoulder.

He was last seen wearing black-and-white striped Billabong shorts and white sneakers.

He was last heard from Saturday (Dec. 25) from an unknown location. Efforts to contact him on his cell phone have been unsuccessful.

Rankin and his girlfriend are scheduled to return to the mainland Tuesday (Dec. 28) at about 9:20 p.m. from the Kona Airport.

Police urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (12/29/10)

Big Island police have located 50-year-old Walter Rankin of New Jersey, who was reported missing.

He was found unharmed Wednesday morning (December 29) in Kailua-Kona.