UPDATE FROM STAFFORD POLICE – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH

On Sunday, November 4th, between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, the Stafford Township Police Department, the New Jersey State Police Missing Person Unit and several volunteer Search & Rescue teams (See Below) continued the search for Mr. Bu Quach. Mr. Quach has been missing since Friday, November 2nd when he walked away from the Manahawkin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center located at 1211 Route 72 west in Manahawkin, N.J.

Based on the last eye witness sighting of Mr. Quach, which had been on Friday evening in the area of Lighthouse Drive and Treasure Avenue, the Stafford Police and the Search & Rescue teams searched in high probability areas. High probability areas are areas where Mr. Quach would most likely still be in based on his dementia mental condition. The search teams went door-to-door to nearly all of the residences in the eastern portion of Ocean Acres, including searching the surrounding wooded areas, sheds, gazebos, crawl spaces, under decks, and anywhere Mr. Quach may have been sheltered and hiding. The Stafford Township Police and the Long Beach Township Police utilized drones in the wooded and open areas behind the Manahawkin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

The search on Sunday was a continuation of searches conducted by the Stafford Township Police Department on Friday night November 2nd, and the Stafford Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department on Saturday, November 3rd. Furthermore, the Township of Stafford sent out three reverse 911 calls asking residents to be on the lookout for Mr. Quach and to also check their properties.

Unfortunately, Mr. Quach has still not been located. At this time, the search is being continued on a limited continuance basis. This means the search is not over, but will be continued when additional information is gained, another sighting of Mr. Quach is made, and when the volunteer Search & Rescue teams and their K9 partners can return to the area.

The Stafford Township Police Department wants to thank all of the residents of Stafford Township, especially in Ocean Acres for their assistance, vigilance, and support of the search and rescue efforts. Also, we would like to thank the New Jersey State Police, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, and the Long Beach Township Police Department for their assistance. Finally, a special thank you to the following volunteer Search and Rescue teams and their K9 partners:

• Central Jersey K9

• Ramapo Search & Rescue (Ramapo, NY)

• New Jersey Search & Rescue (Bergen County, NJ)

• New Jersey Search & Rescue (Hunterdon County, NJ)

• Mid-Atlantic Regional Search & Rescue (Cape May, NJ)

• Search & Rescue Warren County

• Community Search & Rescue (Ramapo, NY)

• Search & Rescue K9 (West Jersey)

We are asking all residents to remain on the lookout for Mr. Quach, and to contact the Stafford Township Police Department at (609) 597-8581 or call 911 if they see him.

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Original Story by Jason Allentoff

STAFFORD – On land, in the air, police officers, police dogs and concerned residents continue the desperate search for a missing man who hasn’t been seen since Friday afternoon.

65-year-old Bu Quach left the Manahawkin Nursing & Rehabilitation Center around 12 noon on Friday, November 2nd, according to the Stafford Township Police Department. Quach had been living at the center for the last year and suffers from Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia. In addition, he suffers from PTSD according to his family.

There was a sighting of Quach near Treasure Avenue and Lighthouse Drive on Friday night around 5:30 p.m. according to posts on social media and from the police. The focus was then put on the Ocean Acres section of town.

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department is also involved in the search.

Stafford Police Lieutenant James Vaughn told Jersey Shore Online Saturday night, “we searched throughout the day in Ocean Acres. We did house to house searches, including looking in sheds, gazebos and anyplace someone might hide to avoid detection or the rain last night. We were assisted by the Ocean County Sheriffs Department and their K9 Unit. The family of the missing man assisted also. We have also sent out two reverse 911 calls asking residents for assistance but unfortunately, nothing yet.”

Vaughn also confirmed that the New Jersey State Police Missing Person’s Unit will begin to search for Quach on Sunday along with their department.

Vaughn said “We have put a lot of information out on social media, and everyone I spoke with today knew about the missing man and many residents were looking too.”

The search has bought out the good in people with many local residents trying to help.

Denise Nebbia of Manahawkin posted on social media that she drove around for three hours in Ocean Acres in Manahawkin and Barnegat but didn’t see him.

Beach Haven West resident Pam Webster wrote on the Stafford Police Facebook page: “It is just so cold outside. My heart is breaking for him and his family. We couldn’t go out to search tonight but will continue to keep our eyes peeled and search tomorrow.”

Quach is described as an Asian male, 5’3, approximately 120 pounds with shaved short hair, a goatee and was last seen wearing a red t-shirt, dark gray sweatpants and a yellow wristband.

The photograph originally provided to media outlets is an older photo and police said his hair will be a lot longer and salt & pepper dark brown/grey in color. The photo on the top of this story was taken about three weeks ago.

On Saturday night, Jonathan Quach said on Facebook, “it’s just me and my 2 younger brothers trying to find our father. And obviously we are lost and confused, not knowing what to do. We already appreciate all the effort everyone has done for us.”

A robocall was placed to residents in the area stating that a search would be continuing Saturday night and on Sunday.

There were unconfirmed reports that Quach had been seen walking around Ocean Acres as early as Thursday but those have not been verified.

Anyone with information should call 609-597-8581.