Nova Scotia

Police in Cape Breton seek information in a pair of missing person cases

Richard Mahoney was last seen early in the morning on Thursday on Jessica Wong Lane in Baddeck. Police believe he is on foot.

Richard Mahoney, 80, was last seen on Thursday and Justin MacDonald, 34, on July 7

Two pictures of men side by side
Police forces in Cape Breton are investigating two separate missing persons cases. Kenneth "Justin" MacDonald (left) was last seen on Sunday, July 7, at 11 p.m. at the Irving gas station at 183 Commercial St. in North Sydney. Richard Mahoney was last seen on Thursday, July 18, on Jessica Wong Lane in Baddeck. (Cape Breton Regional Police/Nova Scotia RCMP)

Police in Cape Breton are investigating separate missing persons cases involving an 80-year-old man from Baddeck and a 34-year-old man from North Sydney.

Richard Mahoney, 80, was last seen early Thursday morning on Jessica Wong Lane in Baddeck.

In a news release, the Nova Scotia RCMP say they believe Mahoney is on foot and could be in, or heading to, the Sydney area. RCMP say they are asking the public in the Sydney area, as well as all areas between Baddeck and Sydney, to be vigilant.

"Police and search and rescue organizations who are participating in this search are asking that residents in this area consider checking outbuildings on their properties such as sheds, garages, or barns and call 911 if Mahoney is observed on their property," states the release.

Police say Mahoney is five feet eight inches tall and 140 pounds. He has grey hair and blue eyes. He has a dark bruise on his right elbow. He could be wearing dark-coloured shorts, a white-and-blue plaid or checkered shirt and moccasin-style shoes.

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Information on Mahoney's whereabouts can be shared with Victoria County District RCMP directly at 902-295-2350. Anonymous tips can be shared with Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Cape Breton Regional Police are investigating the second missing person case.

Kenneth (Justin) MacDonald, 34, was last seen on July 7 at 11 p.m. at the Irving Gas Station at 183 Commercial St. in North Sydney, where he was spotted on store video.

Police say they later found his vehicle, a blue Kia Forte, with the licence plate FYZ 715, approximately 25 kilometres away in the Ormand Crescent area of Mira Road in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

MacDonald is five feet nine inches tall and weighs about 240 pounds. He has sandy blond hair and blue eyes.

Police are looking to speak with anyone who was travelling on Highway 125 between exits 1 and 5 between midnight and 3 a.m. on Monday, July 8.

Turning to the public for help

"As part of ongoing efforts to locate Kenneth 'Justin' MacDonald, police are looking for information about any activity that members of the public may have witnessed along the highway during this time period," Cape Breton Regional Police say in a news release.

Information on MacDonald's whereabouts can be shared with police directly at 902-563-5151 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.