Police Seek Leads On Missing Man

PLANT CITY - Authorities are asking the public for assistance in finding a 27-year-old man who disappeared after cashing a nearly $6,000 check.

Paul Ryan Surrency hasn't been seen or heard from since he left his job at Wal-Mart, 2602 James L. Redman Parkway, at 11:30 p.m. Feb. 29, Plant City police said.

Surrency was last seen driving a dark blue, four-door 1991 Honda Accord with Florida tag A23 9YN. He is 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighs 150 pounds, has blue eyes and has bull tattoos on each arm, police said.

"We know Surrency cashed a tax-return check for almost $6,000 at a check-cashing business on his way to work," Sgt. Jim Shultz said. Police said he received the check's proceeds in cash.

Police said a store security camera showed Surrency leave work in his car. The video shows that Surrency made no contact with anyone as he left the parking lot, Shultz said.

Beverly Hayes, an adopted sister to Surrency, said he was fired by Wal-Mart that night because he broke company rules by leaving the store area while on break.

"It seems odd to me that Ryan would suddenly disappear like that," Hayes said. "We hope that it is something innocent, and he will show up without anything wrong. We would even prefer him doing something stupid with all that money. But that wouldn't be like him. The last thing we want is for him to be harmed in any way. He has so many things going on with his kids and family, we can't understand why he would just disappear."

Surrency's 2-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter live with the children's mother. The couple were not married and were in the midst of an amicable separation, Hayes said.

"Ryan loves his children," Hayes said. "The boy was born with a detached esophagus. Ryan did all he could to help feed and care for the child as he healed. The boy is fine now, and I know Ryan wouldn't just walk away."

Surrency has been living with his parents in Mulberry.

Hayes said Surrency bought a cell phone in the Mulberry area on the day he disappeared, but the phone has never been used.

Anyone with information can call Shultz at (813) 757-9200.