More than 100 members of the public and emergency personnel showed up Saturday morning to help search for 43-year-old Robert Bragman of Salem (and formerly of Bloomington), who was reported missing since Monday morning.
Salem Police Chief Eric Mills told those gathered that there have been searches conducted with horses on the ground, police K-9s, boats, underwater robots and drones.
“Since he’s been reported missing, we’ve been out searching for Mr. Bragman,” said Mills. “We’ve had numerous agencies assisting in this — Indiana State Police, Conservation Department, Washington and Floyd County Emergency Management Agencies, Coast Guard, and the Southern Indiana Search and Rescue.”
Assistant Fire Chief Max Gamble, who was helping to coordinate Saturday’s search said the group was using an app to help set grids and track what areas around Salem has been searched.
“We’ve covered a large area around his residence,” said Gamble. “We’re pretty confident we can move on from that area. We received some new information last night and will be looking in another area.”
Gamble said he was last seen wearing a gray/khaki/red tshirt, blue scrub pants, a brown jacket and a black backpack and potentially not have any shoes on.
He was last seen around the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge on South Main Street around 10am on Monday morning.
Gamble said they did not believe there was anything criminal about Bragman’s disappearance.
Volunteers were paired with emergency service personnel, who were equipped with radios to communicate with the rest of the group.
“We’ve been out for the past 2-3 days with search times, drones, horses,” said Gamble. “We’re moving that search area from around his residence back into town.”
Gamble said teams would be checking water features — creeks, streams and portions of the walking trail.
“We’ve already checked locations where Mr. Bragman has been known to frequent,” he said. “Those businesses and locations have been identified and they will call us if he were to show up.”
Local businesses provided food for volunteers and the Salvation Army brought a truck up with snacks and beverages.
Gambl
e stressed that anyone wanting to volunteer throughout the day should check in and register at the 4H Building, where staff would be through the day.
“That way we know who’s out in the area,” he said. “Also, we need to be very respectful of private property. We don’t want searchers out on private property without permission. We currently have a good working relationship with property owners and we don’t want anything to inhibit that.”
Anyone out searching that finds anything they believe to be evidence, should immediately contact their team leader so authorities can assess the information and bring in the appropriate response team.
An ambulance is also on hand during today’s search in case Bragman would need emergency medical attention.
