“This is a search and rescue,” Mayor Rod Roberson says about search for missing brother
ELKHART, Ind. – Just before 5:00p on Monday, Indiana State Police declared a Silver Alert for seventy-year-old Garvin Roberson—Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson’s older brother, and a beloved figure in Elkhart.
“People know him as Coach Garvin or his students know him as Mr. Roberson, and there’s so many people who know him and love him in the community,” said Mayor Roberson. “I’ve grown up as his little brother for so many years, that I’ve joked that now he’s the mayor’s brother!”
Garvin Roberson left his home around 12:30p on Sunday, November 27, to make a quick trip to the Cobblestone Martin’s Supermarket in Elkhart, and he hasn’t been seen since.
“He didn’t have a cell phone with him. He even left his wallet at home. This isn’t something that he does,” Mayor Roberson said.
Now, over two days since he left, the search continues for Garvin—last seen in a gray 2022 Honda CRV, with license plate number 653EKG, wearing a gray, half-zip pullover and black pants and shoes.
Mayor Roberson, who was set to appear at the Lerner Theater Tuesday night—presumably to announce his re-election plans—postponed the event, to focus instead on his family and the search efforts.
“This is a search and rescue; this isn’t a salvage,” he told me in his office. “I just want to make sure that we find him unharmed, and that he walks through the door, and then I can chastise him for probably falling asleep somewhere. But let’s hope that that happens soon.”
Mayor Roberson said that several members of the community have reached out and told him that they’ve been searching for Garvin and his car.
Police from multiple agencies, including Elkhart city and Elkhart County, Indiana State and investigators from the FBI are searching—and even officials from neighboring cities and counties reached out to say that they are on the lookout.
“Mishawaka, Goshen, Nappanee, Warsaw, Plymouth—those mayors have reached out to me,” he said, fighting back tears. “It’s just humbling, to know how many people care.”
And Mayor Roberson took the opportunity to address Garvin directly, on the chance he might be watching the news or listening.
“Come home!” he said. “Call me, you know, or get up, get on home or stand up and walk through the door. Do anything that you can to let us know how we can get to you, because we will be there waiting to do so.”
If you see Garvin Roberson, or know where he is, you are urged to call 9-1-1 or the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department at 574-533-4151, as he could need medical attention.
EXCERPT:
Elkhart Police, family and friends are still searching for seventy-year-old Garvin Roberson—who was declared missing on Monday.
Roberson was last seen on Sunday, November 27—and may be in need of medical attention.
ELKHART POLICE, FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR SEVENTY-YEAR-OLD GARVIN ROBERSON—WHO WAS DECLARED MISSING YESTERDAY. ROBERSON WAS LAST SEEN ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH