OCEAN PARK — The family of a Lubbock, Texas man is asking for help in locating him after they lost contact several months ago.
Eric Scheller, 24, was reported missing after Sept. 4, when a notice from Santa Monica-based Pacific Tow came in the mail, informing Scheller’s family that his red Cavalier had been towed from the 400 block of Raymond Avenue.
The car was impounded for an expired registration. There were no signs of foul play with the car, police said.
“It’s just weird that it’s been 11, 12 days and he hasn’t tried to contact the police department to try and get his car out,” said Nikki Vaughan, Scheller’s sister-in-law.
Scheller has not been in contact with his family since April, Vaughan said, but they were unaware he’d left the state.
It is possible that Scheller had gotten into financial trouble, she said, and that motivated his flight to Santa Monica.
“We’re thinking that he went there to stay with somebody,” Vaughan said about the car being picked up on Raymond Avenue. “Maybe he was parked there and staying in that area.”
But his decision to head to Santa Monica was unexpected. Vaughan said that the sudden disappearance is uncharacteristic of him, and his family did not believe he knew anyone on the west coast. “There’s really no reason why he’d go to California, not that we know of,” Vaughan said.
Scheller had been going to Texas Tech in Lubbock until recently when he dropped out, Vaughan said. Scheller, who lived off campus with roommates, had not been helping to pay the bills, and his roommates were seeking legal action.
They intended to file a civil suit seeking $3,000 before Scheller disappeared in August. Scheller only took his laptop, his PlayStation 3 and a handgun, Vaughan said, possibly to pawn them off for gas money.
“[His roommates] dropped the suit and kept his stuff because it was worth about that much money,” Vaughan added.
Investigators from Lubbock sheriff’s department will be contacting the SMPD on Monday in regards to Scheller, said SMPD Sgt. Richard Lewis.
Scheller’s family is concerned, having been without contact for so long. The disappearance so far from his hometown came as a shock.
The family contacted the Santa Monica Police Department, as well as the Daily Press. “We were just thinking of getting his picture in the paper,” Vaughan said.
“Hopefully, he sees it,” she added.
Ultimately, they want Scheller to know that they’re worried and want him to reach out to them.
If you have any information on Scheller or his whereabouts, contact the SMPD at (310) 458-8416, the Lubbock Police Department at (806) 775-2816 or Scheller’s family at (512) 757-7561.
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