MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP - Search-and-rescue teams from across the state joined with volunteers and emergency personnel Tuesday to search for a 17-year-old Marion Heights male who went missing Monday night.
The teams used search dogs, ATVs and foot power to search throughout the township and surrounding area for Mackenzie Greco, 17, of 400 Clermont St., Marion Heights.
Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush said Greco was last seen by his family at approximately 7:30 p.m. Monday, when he said he was going for a run. Greco is a member of Mount Carmel Area's high school track and field and cross country teams.
When he did not return home by 12:30 a.m., his parents called police.
"The officers did a cursory search of the area behind the high school, where he liked to run, but because of the late hour, didn't want to send out a search party in such terrain," Hollenbush said.
The chief said Greco was last seen near the Northumberland County Housing Authority Building on West Seventh Street, Mount Carmel. The teen was also seen on a surveillance camera at Varano's Wholesale at Seventh and Oak streets at approximately 9:15 p.m. Monday.
At approximately 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, a command center was established in the Mount Carmel Area Junior/Senior High School parking lot to begin a more extensive search.
"We know that he knew the area because of running cross country," Hollenbush said. "We are not suspecting any foul play."
The chief said relatives don't believe Greco, who is also a Boy Scout, ran away.
A teen at the scene told police he received a message Monday evening from Greco that said he was "going to find a quiet place to think." It was the last message the teen received from Greco. Relatives told police Greco doesn't own a cellphone.
Friends, canines
Greco's cross country teammates lent a hand searching for their friend.
"Mac is just a very outgoing kid, he is a great friend to all of us and that's why we came out," said Justin Skavery. "It will be tough, because it is very rough terrain."
"When you first meet Mac, he is usually very shy and quiet, never bothering anyone," Dondre Glasper said after taking part in the initial search. "I hope they find him."
After the initial search brought no success, K-9 search and rescue teams - STRIKE K-9 from Union County, East Penn Technical Search and Rescue from Tobyhanna, Northumberland County Sheriff Chad Reiner and K-9 officer Clark, and Middle Creek Search and Rescue from Lancaster County - hit the woods to pick up Greco's trail.
"Right now, we are letting the professionals handle the search, seeing what they can find," Hollenbush said at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.
A state police helicopter also made a few passes in the area, with no success, before pulling back because of bad weather.
"The township is 22 square miles, so that is a lot of ground to cover," Hollenbush said. "We covered around 20 square miles all together. We searched south of the high school, around Marion Heights and Atlas, and as far as Patterson Block."
Last seen
The teen was last seen wearing a red, blue or white T-shirt, khaki shorts and New Balance running shoes and carrying a black and red backpack. He is described as a white male, five foot six inches tall, between 120 and 130 pounds, with brown eyes and hair.
A search team found what they thought was Greco's backpack, however, it was later determined to be a carrying case for a tent. Also, Hollenbush discredited a rumor that the teen ordered a pizza to a wooded area Monday evening.
During a debriefing at 8:40 p.m. Tuesday, Hollenbush thanked first-responders for their hard work on what he described as dangerous ground.
He continued, "I want to thank everybody. You did a hell of a job. We definitely know our resources now for search and rescue, unfortunately."
Hollenbush said there is no planned search for today, and the incident will continue as a "missing person endangered."
Anyone with information regarding Greco's whereabouts is asked to call 911.