Audio By Carbonatix
A 74-year-old Chandler man has been missing since yesterday afternoon. Aside from being missing, Vito F. Duda also is a registered sex offender.
Chandler Detective Seth Tyler says Duda was last seen by his son at the home the two live in in the 1200 block of Manor Drive in Chandler about 2 p.m. yesterday. When his son got home, just after midnight today, Duda was gone.
Duda, who suffers from severe cataracts, has no friends or family in the area, except for his son. He also never leaves the house alone, his son told police.
During their search, which included an air search of the area where he was last seen and a door-to-door canvas of his neighborhood, detectives discovered Duda made a purchase at a convenience store at the intersection of Alma School and Knox roads about 1 p.m. yesterday.
When news happens, Phoenix New Times is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
Arizona’s sex offender registry lists Duda as a registered sex offender — convicted in 1993 on child molestation charges.
Regardless, Chandler Detective Seth Tyler tells New Times Duda’s not a threat.
“We do not believe he is a danger to any children, nor do we believe at this time that he is in any danger,” Tyler says. “According to the son Vito cannot see more than a couple of feet in front of him.”
Duda’s described as 5-foot-3, 115 pounds, with grey hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a grey sweatshirt, blue jeans, a brown jacket, and Nike sneakers.
Anyone with information about Duda’s whereabouts is asked to call Chandler police at 480-782-4130.
