Search expands for missing Umatilla tribal member

PENDLETON — Officers with the Umatilla Tribal Police Department are asking for the public’s help in finding a 71-year-old man who disappeared on the Umatilla Indian Reservation on Oct. 5. 

Wesley Dixon Jones was last seen at 3:15 p.m. that day on Short Mile Road on the Umatilla Reservation about six miles west of Pendleton, according to a UTPD press release. He was in a gray 2003 Ford Escape SUV, Oregon license SM15454. 

“When the vehicle returned west along the same road, Jones was no longer visible in it,” the release said.  

Law enforcement officers with the UTPD and the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office have made extensive searches of the area but have not found Jones. As a result, they have expanded the search area, the release said. 

Jones is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall, about 140 pounds, with long black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and sweatpants, a black and red Tiger Scott jacket and boots. Anyone who may have information about him is asked to contact Travis Snell, 541-429-7394, or [email protected].