Voice Of Post

Georgia couple missing, Authorities in Georgia have issued an arrest warrant in connection with the case of a missing elderly couple who have not been seen since they responded to a Craigslist advertisement about a car.

Elrey "Bud" Runion, 69, and his 66-year-old wife June, of Cobb County, were reported missing by their three daughters Friday when they did not show up to babysit their grandchildren as promised. Family members told WAGA that the couple was last seen in Marietta, outside Atlanta, Thursday morning. They were planning on driving to the small town of McRae, in southeastern Georgia, to look at a 1966 Ford Mustang they were interested in buying from someone on Craigslist.

Telfair County sheriff's deputies say that they are looking for 28-year-old Ronnie "Jay" Towns. He is currently wanted for giving false statements to investigators, as well as criminal attempt to commit theft by deception.

"We were interested in who last had phone contact with the Runions, and this individual did," Telfair County Sheriff Chris Steverson told WMAZ-TV. "We interviewed Mr. Towns early on in the investigation and the info he provided did not corroborate with our investigation."

Authorities told the station that the last phone number to have contact with the Runions was traced back to a disposable phone. Authorities are using signals from that phone in the hope of finding the couple.

Georgia couple missing, Police are searching for a Georgia couple who have been missing since Thursday after they went to buy a car from someone they contacted through Craigslist.

Elrey "Bud" and June Runion drove to McRae, Ga., from Marietta, Ga., on Thursday to meet someone who responded to an ad Bud Runion placed on the classified advertisements website seeking a 1966 Mustang. It is nearly a 190-mile drive from Marietta to McRae.

Relatives became concerned when the couple, Bud, 69, and June 66, did not return for a family function and did not answer their cellphone.

Telfair County Sheriff Chris Steverson said Sunday that they have identified a suspect in the investigation.

Steverson said there are two active warrants out for Ronnie "Jay" Adrian Towns. One warrant is for making false statements to investigators; the other for criminal attempt to commit theft by deception.We were interested in who last had phone contact with the Runions, and this individual did," Steverson said. "We interviewed Mr. Towns early on in the investigation and the info he provided did not corroborate with our investigation."

Police said the number the Runions called traced back to a disposable cellphone.

Earlier Steverson had said, "We've searched the hotels, hospitals and all the obvious places." The Telfair police became involved once they learned the couple had traveled to the southern part of the state.

Craig Bishop, the Runions' son-in-law said classic cars are Bud Runion's passion.

"I believe one of (Bud's) first cars, if not his first car, was a '66 Mustang," he said. "It's surreal. Moment to moment, I'm just thinking we're going to hear something."

Cobb County, Ga., detectives believe the couple was riding in a pewter- or champagne-colored 2003 GMC Envoy with Georgia license plates.

Bud Runion is described as white, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing 165 pounds. He is balding with gray hair and blue eyes. June Runion is described as white, 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighing 135 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.