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Gardener Has Been Missing Since Sunday, Polk Officials Say

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TBO.com

Published: September 12, 2008

  Cosme Ibay

Polk County deputies are seeking help finding Cosme Olay Ibay, a missing elderly man.

Ibay, 79, of Orlando, was last seen Sunday in Polk City.

The gardener was last working at 461 Waterview Drive. He finished that job about 1 p.m. Sunday and hasn't been seen since, deputies say.

A deputy spotted Ibay's 1993 Subaru abandoned Wednesday morning at Gator Creek Preserve, a nature area on U.S. Highway 98 N. in north Lakeland.

Orange County deputies were notified. They went to Ibay's home and didn't find anyone there.

Gator Creek security told Polk deputies today that the abandoned vehicle was still there. Ibay's friends also reported him missing Friday, and they came to the preserve to claim his vehicle.

Polk deputies have searched a wooded area at the preserve but didn't find Ibay.

Deputies say he could be could be in Polk City, north Lakeland or Orlando.

The Asian man has brown hair and brown eyes and last was seen wearing khaki pants and a white T-shirt. He is 5-foot-4 and weighs 140 pounds.

He doesn't have a bad medical history or mental health issues, according to deputies.

Anyone who noticed him between Sunday and Tuesday inside his vehicle, which has prior damage to its driver's side door and window, can call Polk deputies at (800) 226-0344.

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