Police search for missing Wisconsin college student

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  Fox6now.com
  Eric Duffey, who's originally from Fitchburg and attends the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, was last seen about 1:15 a.m.

STEVENS POINT, Wis. –  Police launched an extensive search Sunday for a missing Wisconsin college student using tracking dogs and about 150 volunteers.

Eric Duffey, who's originally from Fitchburg and attends the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, was last seen about 1:15 a.m. Saturday leaving Joe's Bar in downtown Stevens Point. The 21-year-old was believed to be heading back to his residence.

Police told reporters Sunday they did not suspect foul play, and that they believed alcohol was a factor in Duffey's disappearance, the Stevens Point Journal reported. The official search was suspended Sunday evening, but police, family and friends continued to search neighborhoods near the campus, the newspaper said.

His parents said he was celebrating his 21st birthday.

"I know that they were drinking, but it doesn't sound like they were drinking heavily," his father, Daren Duffey, told WISC-TV. "It wasn't like they were doing 21 shots or anything like that."
The father helped with the search Sunday afternoon, family members said.

Eric Duffey was wearing an orange flannel shirt, blue jeans, a brown jacket and possibly a gray and white stocking hat. He's about 6 feet tall, about 150 pounds, with red hair and green eyes.

Police sent a Code Red Alert out Saturday evening and again on Sunday morning. With the alert, police asked residents between downtown Stevens Point and Duffey's residence to check their property for signs of him.

Police tried to use cellphone pings to locate the student, but the pings only showed that his phone was in the Stevens Point area.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/03/04/police-search-for-missing-wisconsin-college-student/#ixzz1oDIUQp42