A reward is being offered for information on the location of Ruben Carranza, a Greensburg man who has been missing for three weeks.
“I don’t think my son is hiding, so all of the things that come into my mind (are) bad things,” said his mother, Dawn Rose. “Somebody knows.”
Carranza, 36, was last seen around 3:30 a.m. July 29 via a license plate reader while driving a 2002 white Toyota Avalon near Sidney Street in Southwest Greensburg. Police have issued repeated public pleas, including one on Aug. 5, for information in an effort to find him.
The Toyota was found Aug. 9 hidden off Ridge Road in Donegal Township in a rural area in southeastern Westmoreland County about 15 miles from Greensburg, police said. Investigators believe the car was purposely concealed there Aug. 5.
Family, friends and a concerned citizen have pledged $3,000. His mother said she hopes the financial incentive will encourage those who know where he is to tell police.
The last ping from Carranza’s cellphone came from a tower near Devil Dog Drive in Mt. Pleasant Township. Police said they have searched for him around Mammoth Park and the surrounding region, including Linn Run State Park and Beam Rocks.
Police Detective Garret McNamara said Tuesday he was following up on tips and the vehicle is being processed for DNA and fingerprints.
Rose of Hempfield created an online fundraiser Tuesday with a $2,000 goal. Donations exploded shortly after. Money raised will be directed toward hiring a private investigator and, if needed, funeral arrangements.
“The family is forever grateful for all the love and support being shown by friends and the community,” Rose said.
The past three weeks have been emotional. Rose and her family are trying to continue with work and day-to-day life while so many questions constantly swirl in their minds.
“It’s awful,” she said. “A part of your heart is just gone.”
She and her son typically talked on a daily basis, so his three-week absence is highly unusual. Cellphone records showed he hasn’t used his phone since July 29, she said.
A Hempfield graduate, Carranza had been working as a tattoo artist at The Old Skool Tattooing Co., Rose said. He has left his mark in ink on several family members, including a tattoo sleeve on Rose’s left arm.
She described him as an empathetic, intuitive and creative man who always knows how to get a laugh out of someone. He likes to break out in song and dance sometimes and enjoys cooking, especially if it is spicy food.
Anyone with information can contact police at 724-834-3800. Carranza is about 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs around 135 pounds. He has brown/black hair, brown eyes, gauges in both earlobes and numerous tattoos.
