PICKSTOWN - The Charles Mix County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in locating a missing person, who fled when speaking with officers Tuesday.
At approximately 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, a Charles Mix County deputy assisted Iran Rodriguez Santana, who was disoriented from traveling from Waterford, North Dakota to Columbus, Nebraska, in the ongoing snow storm, according to the Charles Mix County Sheriff's Office.
While the deputy was attempting to help Rodriguez Santana obtain a motel room in Pickstown, he took off running into the wilderness area of the North Point Recreation Wilderness Area.
The deputy followed Rodriguez Santana's tracks for a half-mile, but due to the severity of the snow storm, the deputy discontinued the search.
Rodriguez Santana is described as a 40-year-old Hispanic male, approximately 5 feet tall.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to officials with the sheriff's office, continuing the search for Rodriguez Santana has remained difficult as the snow is still piled high in the area and covered any tracks he might have left.
Prior to Rodriguez Santana fleeing, the deputy was having difficulty communicating, as Rodriguez Santana speaks little English. But the deputy believes it is possible Rodriguez Santana was traveling with another vehicle, and it is unclear if he continued travel with that vehicle.
As of Thursday morning, Rodriguez Santana's vehicle remained in the parking lot of the motel in Pickstown where the officer was assisting him, and the sheriff's office and Charles Mix County Office of Emergency Management plan to continue the search Thursday of the North Point Recreational Wilderness Area and remote private property in the area Rodriguez Santana was last seen.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Rodriguez Santana is encouraged to call (605) 487-7625.
