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FBI Seeks Kidnapping Clues

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI

esilvestrini@tampatrib.com

Published: February 28, 2009

TAMPA - Nearly a year after their son, Robert, was kidnapped from the family business at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Pamela and Thomas Wiles think he is still alive and are willing to work with the kidnappers to get him back.

"We aren't zillionaires, and business is bad, but we'll do whatever it takes," Thomas Wiles said in an interview Thursday at the FBI's Tampa headquarters.

"I don't care what condition he's in," Pamela Wiles said. "I just want to know where he is."
Robert Wiles was business development manager for National Flight Services, his family's Toledo, Ohio-based aircraft service and maintenance company.

Two days after his April 1 disappearance, Wiles' parents received a ransom note. They followed the instructions to get their son back, but something went wrong. The kidnappers cut off communication.

Now the FBI says its agents have developed a prime suspect and persons of interest. But investigators need a little more information and are seeking the public's help.

"We're just that close," said agency spokesman Dave Couvertier said. "A couple of grains of more information will tip the scales."

The key suspect and persons of interest had connections and associations in the Lakeland area, as well as Orlando and Melbourne, Couvertier said.

Agents particularly want to hear from anyone with information about Wiles' activities the afternoon of April 1. Agents also need information about who might have been upset with Wiles or consistently complained about him, as well as anyone who was jealous.

The suspect and persons of interest knew his work routine and his parents' affairs, Couvertier said. They are manipulative and may intimidate others who have information.

Wiles' parents said their son, who turned 27 in September, had no enemies.

"He just loved spending time with people, with fun people," Pamela Wiles said.

But the family business is "very cut-throat," Thomas Wiles said. He believes there is a "very high probability" that the kidnapping was connected to it.

His son's job was to attract new business.

Patricia Wiles isn't as firm in her belief that the business is connected to the kidnapping, but said it's possible.

"Robert was very respected," she said. "He believed honesty is a marketable commodity."

The family's company services airplanes that carry up to 19 passengers, Thomas Wiles said. It has been in business since the 1970s and has about 120 employees.

The year before the kidnapping, the business had $8.5 million in sales, according to public records. In addition to Toledo and Lakeland, it has branches in Toronto and in San Antonio, Texas.

Robert grew up around airplanes; his parents met on one.

When he and his two younger sisters were children, the family had a plane with child seats that they used to visit grandparents.

After Robert was kidnapped, the family received at least 300 cards and e-mails of support from around the world, Thomas Wiles said.

He said there is "zero" chance his son was involved in his own kidnapping.

"Robert was not driven by money and power."

Robert had plans to travel to the Keys with friends last June. He loves to fish and owns a 21-foot catamaran.

INFORMATION SOUGHT

Rewards totaling $300,000 are being offered in the kidnapping of Robert Wiles. His parents are offering $50,000 for information leading to his recovery and $250,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Anyone with information on the kidnapping can call the FBI at 1-866-838-1153 or go to the agency's Web site, tampa.fbi.gov for e-mail and other contact information.

Anonymous tips also can be mailed to the FBI at: 5525 W. Gray St., Tampa FL 33609. Or you can ask someone from the clergy or an attorney to contact the agency on your behalf; the FBI says it is will honor confidentiality.

Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837.

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