After three individuals were reported missing within eight days, the police department thanks the public for assistance, tips
The Washington Township Police Department reported three missing persons over an eight-day span, requesting via social media public assistance in locating the individuals. All were located within 24 hours after the posts were made.
Lt. Christopher Pelosi, investigation bureau division commander, said having many reports within such a short period of time was unusual for the community, and stated it was more than likely a coincidence.
On Jan. 30, 16-year-old Gia Boccutto was reported missing as a suspected runaway after she went to school on Jan. 26 but never returned at the end of the day. The report stated a search of her bedroom indicated she had taken several outfits and shoes with her to school. Police urged anyone with information to contact the investigative bureau. Later that day, officials posted on social media that the juvenile had been found safely, and thanked the public for tips and attention to the matter.
Four days later, Courtney English, 21, was reported as a missing/endangered person. According to the report, English was reported missing by family members that day. She was located later that evening.
On Feb. 7, Chestnut Ridge Middle School student Thomas Ho, 14, was announced as missing on the department’s social media accounts, requesting any information or leads be directed to Gloucester County Communications. Ho was reported missing when he did not show up for school that morning.
“The detectives worked tirelessly on this case and utilized numerous tools we have at our disposal. Some investigations are easier than others, and it is basically just trying to connect the dots,” said Pelosi, who was unable to disclose additional information about the case due to the juvenile’s age.
After 3,215 post shares on the department’s Facebook page, officials said the boy was found later that afternoon.
“A missing child call can be the most challenging and emotional case a police department will ever experience,” Chief Patrick Gurcsik said. “The attitude and approach an agency and its officers take in responding to reports of a missing child may very well determine whether the child is quickly located safely, remains missing or, worse yet, never recovered. Everyone here drops what we’re doing when there’s a report of a missing child. It’s all hands on deck.”
According to Pelosi, once the police receive a missing person report, the individual is entered into the National Crime Information Center, which all law enforcement agencies have access to.
“Depending on the circumstances, we will establish a plan to effectively and efficiently attempt to locate the missing person,” Pelosi said. “This may include establishing a perimeter around the area where the person was last seen, or conducting neighborhood canvasses and utilizing a K9 for tracking. We also take advantage of the use of the reverse 911 system in which an alert is broadcast to the public via telephone or text regarding the missing person, and the use of social media.”
Pelosi said there is no waiting period for someone to be considered missing.
“Whenever a person deviates from their normal routine and cannot be located constitutes a missing person,” Pelosi said. “If someone is indicating someone is missing, then we treat that immediately as a missing person case.”
All the recent reports posted online requested the public’s assistance in locating the individuals by calling the department with information or tips. Pelosi believes the community’s help is a “tremendous asset.”
“If there is a missing person report, we are asking the public to be vigilante. If they have a child around the same age, ask questions. If there is information they could provide to the police, please do it immediately,” Pelosi said. “Every piece of information can be helpful.”
Pelosi said any information received by the public is followed up on, and although it may not lead to the individual, it can turn the investigators in a new direction.
For those looking to help the department in an active search, Pelosi recommends calling the police department first to be sure there won’t be interference with the actions already in place.
“There are times when the police are conducting a search and may be utilizing a K9, and if a member of the public is searching without our knowledge, it could hinder the investigation,” Pelosi said. “If we see that the investigation is going in a direction in which we are looking for the public’s assistance, we will make those notifications.”
According to Pelosi, the department tries to take advantage of social media when it can. For more complex investigations, the bureau may seek assistance from the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office or the New Jersey State Police.
The department will be having an upcoming demonstration on the use of drones, Pelosi stated. The drones will be available in Gloucester County for investigations such as missing persons, search and rescue, and can be used in any event requiring “aerial or geo-reference situational awareness.”
