FBI searching for missing Galena Park manBy MIKE GLENN
Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
May 8, 2009, 7:56PM
A Galena Park man whose disappearance has prompted an FBI investigation made a habit of telling his wife where he would be throughout the day, authorities said.
Salvador Rojas, 49, was last heard from about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday when he called friends to say he was running late to meet up with them.
“He mentioned a flat tire, but he never showed up,” said Pat Villafranca, an FBI spokeswoman.
The call was made somewhere on the Gulf Freeway near Almeda Genoa, FBI agents said.
His car — a silver 2000 Volkswagen Jetta with a spoiler and Texas license plate 1788ZGF — is also missing, officials said.
Investigators later questioned the friends that Rojas was to meet that night but Villafranca said their stories all checked out.
By midnight, Rojas had not returned to his home in the 12300 block of Kayla.
His wife called Rojas’ cell phone but got no answer. Strangers were on the line when the call was returned, officials said.
“They said, ‘Who are you? Who are you?’ Then, they hung up,' ” Villafranca said. “When she tried to call back, they turned the phone off.”
There doesn’t appear to be an innocent explanation for his disappearance, officials said.
“The investigation just doesn’t lead us to believe that he would have left voluntarily,” Villafranca said. “He was in touch with (his wife) all day long, telling her what he was doing and where he was going.”
Rojas owns a small boot business at a southeast Houston flea market.
“We’re not aware of anyone who would wish him any harm,” Villafranca said.
Rojas didn’t have a medical condition that could have played a role in his disappearance, officials said.
FBI agents want to talk to anyone who might have seen Rojas or his car. Crime Stoppers will offer up to $5,000 for information leading to an indictment in the case. Callers to 713-222-TIPS can remain anonymous.A Galena Park man whose disappearance has prompted an FBI investigation made a habit of telling his wife where he would be throughout the day, authorities said.
Salvador Rojas, 49, was last heard from about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday when he called friends to say he was running late to meet up with them.
“He mentioned a flat tire, but he never showed up,” said Pat Villafranca, an FBI spokeswoman.
The call was made somewhere on the Gulf Freeway near Almeda Genoa, FBI agents said.
His car — a silver 2000 Volkswagen Jetta with a spoiler and Texas license plate 1788ZGF — is also missing, officials said.
Investigators later questioned the friends that Rojas was to meet that night but Villafranca said their stories all checked out.
By midnight, Rojas had not returned to his home in the 12300 block of Kayla.
His wife called Rojas’ cell phone but got no answer. Strangers were on the line when the call was returned, officials said.
“They said, ‘Who are you? Who are you?’ Then, they hung up,' ” Villafranca said. “When she tried to call back, they turned the phone off.”
There doesn’t appear to be an innocent explanation for his disappearance, officials said.
“The investigation just doesn’t lead us to believe that he would have left voluntarily,” Villafranca said. “He was in touch with (his wife) all day long, telling her what he was doing and where he was going.”
Rojas owns a small boot business at a southeast Houston flea market.
“We’re not aware of anyone who would wish him any harm,” Villafranca said.
Rojas didn’t have a medical condition that could have played a role in his disappearance, officials said.
FBI agents want to talk to anyone who might have seen Rojas or his car. Crime Stoppers will offer up to $5,000 for information leading to an indictment in the case. Callers to 713-222-TIPS can remain anonymous.A Galena Park man whose disappearance has prompted an FBI investigation made a habit of telling his wife where he would be throughout the day, authorities said.
Salvador Rojas, 49, was last heard from about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday when he called friends to say he was running late to meet up with them.
“He mentioned a flat tire, but he never showed up,” said Pat Villafranca, an FBI spokeswoman.
The call was made somewhere on the Gulf Freeway near Almeda Genoa, FBI agents said.
His car — a silver 2000 Volkswagen Jetta with a spoiler and Texas license plate 1788ZGF — is also missing, officials said.
Investigators later questioned the friends that Rojas was to meet that night but Villafranca said their stories all checked out.
By midnight, Rojas had not returned to his home in the 12300 block of Kayla.
His wife called Rojas’ cell phone but got no answer. Strangers were on the line when the call was returned, officials said.
“They said, ‘Who are you? Who are you?’ Then, they hung up,' ” Villafranca said. “When she tried to call back, they turned the phone off.”
There doesn’t appear to be an innocent explanation for his disappearance, officials said.
“The investigation just doesn’t lead us to believe that he would have left voluntarily,” Villafranca said. “He was in touch with (his wife) all day long, telling her what he was doing and where he was going.”
Rojas owns a small boot business at a southeast Houston flea market.
“We’re not aware of anyone who would wish him any harm,” Villafranca said.
Rojas didn’t have a medical condition that could have played a role in his disappearance, officials said.
FBI agents want to talk to anyone who might have seen Rojas or his car. Crime Stoppers will offer up to $5,000 for information leading to an indictment in the case. Callers to 713-222-TIPS can remain anonymous.
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