Coast Guard Suspends Search For Missing East Bay Canoer

PINOLE, CA — The United States Coast Guard has suspended the search for a missing 70-year-old East Bay man who was last seen getting ready to go canoing on Tuesday.

The search for Tito C. Montances was suspended Thursday, according to the United States Coast Guard.

"The decision to suspend a search is never an easy one," Chief Warrant Officer Michael L. Zapawa, a search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector San Francisco, said in a statement. "We appreciate the work of our partners throughout the search efforts, and our hearts are with Mr. Montances’ loved ones."

Authorities say Montances left his home with a canoe on his truck on Tuesday at around 1 p.m. and never returned. He was last seen preparing to launch the vessel, which the Hercules Police Department described as a green, single-rider canoe.

His vehicle was later found at Bay Front Park in Pinole, the United States Coast Guard said. Search and rescue crews scoured more than 280 square miles over 38 hours looking for Montances, according to authorities, but failed to find him.

Montances is 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a navy blue jacket, light-colored shorts and black shoes, police said.

The Hercules Police Department asked that anyone who may have more information contact the agency at 510-724-1111 or the Coast Guard at 415-399-7300.