Toronto police expanding search area for man missing since Friday

Toronto police say officers haveexpanded the area in which they aresearchingfor a man who has beenmissing since May 12 froma northwest neighbourhood inthe city.

A 37-year-old man identified as Nathan was last seen on Friday at 7 p.m.in the area of Jane Street and Sheppard Avenue West, according topolice.

Toronto police, in a policy that took effect in February, no longer release the surname of missing people to better protect their privacy in the future.

Duty Insp.Ryan Fordesaid in a news conferenceWednesday that the area police aresearching has expanded from a 300 meters to500 metersin the areawhere Nathanwas last seen.

"Nathan has down syndrome and his functionality is at a seven-year-old level, so for someone with that type of need our level of concern is ramped up," said Forde.

Police spokesperson Const. Victor Kwong also said Wednesday that officers are checking hospitals, canvassing areas and using drones, while the missing persons unit is also assisting in the search.

"So far it has all turned up with negative results," said Kwong.

A command post has been set up near the Oakdale Community Centre at 350 Grandravine Dr., near Jane Street.

Toronto police say officers have also notified their counterparts in the Kitchener-Waterloo area because Nathanused to live there.

Nathan is described as four feet, six inches tall, 170 pounds, with a full beard and mustache.

Anyone who has seen him or who knows where he is located is urged to call police.