Police in Mendota Heights are asking residents and travelers to be on the lookout for an 89-year-old man who went missing Wednesday afternoon after leaving his home in a vehicle, officials said Friday.
Investigators identified the man as Edward Hanton. He left his residence on the 1200 block of Aspen Way in Mendota Heights at about 3 p.m. Wednesday in a green 2012 Honda CR-V bearing Minnesota license plate PSH740, according to the Mendota Heights Police Department and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Searchers are using digital location data to narrow the search area. Apple AirTag information placed Hanton near Highway 48, in Clover Circle, Cloverdale, Minnesota — approximately 10 miles east of Hinckley — at about 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, investigators said.
"Apple AirTag data indicated that Edward was near Highway 48, in Clover Circle, in Cloverdale, Minnesota, which is approximately 10 miles east of Hinckley," Jared Powell, an investigator with the Mendota Heights Police Department, said in a news conference Friday evening.
Phone location data from around 5:37 p.m. Wednesday showed Hanton’s last known location was possibly near Highway 77 and Highway 35 in Danbury, Wisconsin, Powell said. Authorities emphasized the Danbury location was listed as a possible location from the phone data and remains part of an active search.
Hanton is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing about 150 pounds, and bald. When last seen he was wearing a light blue plaid flannel shirt, a dark blue jacket, jeans and brown loafers, officials said.
How the public can help
- If you see Edward Hanton or the green 2012 Honda CR-V with plate PSH740, call 911 immediately.
- Note the vehicle’s direction of travel, any other vehicles involved, and any visible damage or distinguishing marks.
- Do not attempt to approach or detain anyone; report observations to law enforcement.
Authorities have not released additional details about Hanton’s medical condition or whether he requires medication. Because of his age, police are treating the report as time-sensitive and urged anyone with information to come forward quickly.
Local, state and regional agencies often coordinate when missing persons cross county or state lines. Investigators said they are working with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and regional partners to follow leads and search areas indicated by the digital data.
The use of device-tracking information, such as Apple AirTag and cell-phone data, has become a frequent tool in locating missing people. Those data sources can provide approximate locations but may not always be precise; investigators use them alongside physical searches, canvassing, and tips from the public.
Timeline (as released by authorities)
| Time | Location / Event |
|---|---|
| ~3:00 p.m. Wednesday | Hanton leaves home on 1200 block of Aspen Way, Mendota Heights |
| ~5:15 p.m. Wednesday | Apple AirTag places Hanton near Highway 48, Clover Circle, Cloverdale, MN |
| ~5:37 p.m. Wednesday | Phone data possibly places Hanton near Highway 77 & Highway 35, Danbury, WI |
Anyone with relevant information is asked to call 911. Mendota Heights police did not release additional identifying or medical details Friday evening.
As the search continues, officials urged drivers traveling east of the Twin Cities toward Hinckley and across the Wisconsin border to remain alert for the vehicle and to report sightings. Updates will be provided by Mendota Heights police and partner agencies as new information becomes available.
This is a developing situation. NEXO RADAR will monitor updates from law enforcement and provide additional reporting as authorities release more information.
