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Alice Gross disappearance: police search for missing Latvian man Alice Gross disappearance: police search for missing man
(about 9 hours later)
Detectives investigating the disappearance of schoolgirl Alice Gross say they are searching for a man who has been missing for nearly two weeks.Detectives investigating the disappearance of schoolgirl Alice Gross say they are searching for a man who has been missing for nearly two weeks.
Alice, 14, was last seen on 28 August, when she was spotted on CCTV by the Grand Union canal in west London.Alice, 14, was last seen on 28 August, when she was spotted on CCTV by the Grand Union canal in west London.
Scotland Yard has now appealed for the public's help to trace a Latvian builder, Arnis Zalkalns, who was last seen at his home in Ealing, west London, on 3 September.Scotland Yard has now appealed for the public's help to trace a Latvian builder, Arnis Zalkalns, who was last seen at his home in Ealing, west London, on 3 September.
The 41-year-old, who lives with his partner and child, is known to travel to work along a similar route to that which Alice took on the day she disappeared, police said.The 41-year-old, who lives with his partner and child, is known to travel to work along a similar route to that which Alice took on the day she disappeared, police said.
The fresh appeal comes as a 25-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder on 6 September was told he faces no further action.The fresh appeal comes as a 25-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder on 6 September was told he faces no further action.
Meanwhile, officers revealed a couple have come forward to report a sighting of Alice's rucksack which featured in a television appeal on Tuesday night's Crimewatch.Meanwhile, officers revealed a couple have come forward to report a sighting of Alice's rucksack which featured in a television appeal on Tuesday night's Crimewatch.
A 51-year-old man, who was arrested by officers on suspicion of murder on 7 September, was released with no further action the following day.A 51-year-old man, who was arrested by officers on suspicion of murder on 7 September, was released with no further action the following day.
DS Carl Mehta, from the Met's homicide and major crime command, said: "It is completely out of character for Arnis to go missing. His family is very worried about him. I am asking for anyone who has seen him or knows where he is to get in touch.DS Carl Mehta, from the Met's homicide and major crime command, said: "It is completely out of character for Arnis to go missing. His family is very worried about him. I am asking for anyone who has seen him or knows where he is to get in touch.
"Given the time that Arnis was last seen, and that he travels to work along a similar route to the one we know Alice took on August 28, I am really keen to speak to him. At this stage, we simply want to speak to him, as he may well have important information that can help our search for Alice."Given the time that Arnis was last seen, and that he travels to work along a similar route to the one we know Alice took on August 28, I am really keen to speak to him. At this stage, we simply want to speak to him, as he may well have important information that can help our search for Alice.
"I would stress that based on what we know now there is no evidence to suggest that Arnis and Alice knew each other. This continues to be a fast-moving investigation, and this is one of a number of lines of inquiry that we are urgently looking into.""I would stress that based on what we know now there is no evidence to suggest that Arnis and Alice knew each other. This continues to be a fast-moving investigation, and this is one of a number of lines of inquiry that we are urgently looking into."
Zalkalns is believed to have left home early on Thursday 4 September, police said.Zalkalns is believed to have left home early on Thursday 4 September, police said.
He was due to meet a friend at around 8am to cycle to work in Isleworth together but he failed to turn up that morning. His normal route would take him along the Grand Union canal where Alice went missing.He was due to meet a friend at around 8am to cycle to work in Isleworth together but he failed to turn up that morning. His normal route would take him along the Grand Union canal where Alice went missing.
He rides a red Trek mountain bike and was reported missing on Friday 5 September, police said.He rides a red Trek mountain bike and was reported missing on Friday 5 September, police said.
Zalkalns is white, 5ft 10in, of stocky build and with dark brown hair that he normally wears tied in a pony tail, Scotland Yard said.Zalkalns is white, 5ft 10in, of stocky build and with dark brown hair that he normally wears tied in a pony tail, Scotland Yard said.
DCI Andy Chalmers was in the studio during Crimewatch, using CCTV images to show Alice's last known movements between 1pm when she left her Hanwell home and 4.26pm when she walked along Trumpers Way, towards Hanwell.DCI Andy Chalmers was in the studio during Crimewatch, using CCTV images to show Alice's last known movements between 1pm when she left her Hanwell home and 4.26pm when she walked along Trumpers Way, towards Hanwell.
Her Vans rucksack was found by the river Brent a week and a half ago, but no money or purse was inside and her white iPhone 4S with a distinctive cracked case has yet to be found.Her Vans rucksack was found by the river Brent a week and a half ago, but no money or purse was inside and her white iPhone 4S with a distinctive cracked case has yet to be found.
Officers previously said her missing smartphone may hold key information about her disappearance. The device last connected to the network at just after 5pm on 28 August.Officers previously said her missing smartphone may hold key information about her disappearance. The device last connected to the network at just after 5pm on 28 August.
A couple saw Alice's bag on 28 August at about 8.15pm on the footpath that runs besides the Brent between Hanwell Bridge and the Grand Union canal.A couple saw Alice's bag on 28 August at about 8.15pm on the footpath that runs besides the Brent between Hanwell Bridge and the Grand Union canal.
They did not move the bag or look inside it, Scotland Yard added.They did not move the bag or look inside it, Scotland Yard added.
Chalmers said police had no evidence that Gross, who had anorexia, was being bullied on social media but hoped finding her phone might uncover any secret communications she might have had.Chalmers said police had no evidence that Gross, who had anorexia, was being bullied on social media but hoped finding her phone might uncover any secret communications she might have had.
He said her family has been left devastated by her disappearance. Her parents, Jose Gross and Rosalind Hodgkiss, and her sister Nina have already recorded appeals for her to come home.He said her family has been left devastated by her disappearance. Her parents, Jose Gross and Rosalind Hodgkiss, and her sister Nina have already recorded appeals for her to come home.
Chalmers said: "Over two weeks ago now Alice left home, just as normal, and went for a walk. She has not been seen since.Chalmers said: "Over two weeks ago now Alice left home, just as normal, and went for a walk. She has not been seen since.
"The response so far from the public has been great, but as yet we have no confirmed sightings of Alice after 4.30pm that day."The response so far from the public has been great, but as yet we have no confirmed sightings of Alice after 4.30pm that day.
"I am really keen to trace Alice's phone, which I know has not been used since late afternoon on the day she was last seen. It is a white iPhone 4S, with a distinctive cracked rear case that Alice had decorated with marker pen. If you saw, or currently have, Alice's phone please get in touch."I am really keen to trace Alice's phone, which I know has not been used since late afternoon on the day she was last seen. It is a white iPhone 4S, with a distinctive cracked rear case that Alice had decorated with marker pen. If you saw, or currently have, Alice's phone please get in touch.
"Alice's family are devastated. They think about her constantly. If you have any information that can help us bring Alice back to her family, no matter how small or trivial it may seem to you, please call us.""Alice's family are devastated. They think about her constantly. If you have any information that can help us bring Alice back to her family, no matter how small or trivial it may seem to you, please call us."
Chalmers previously said Alice had been going through a "difficult time" and had been undergoing medical treatment for her anorexia but that there had been no family argument before she disappeared.Chalmers previously said Alice had been going through a "difficult time" and had been undergoing medical treatment for her anorexia but that there had been no family argument before she disappeared.
Alice's phone was last actively used to send a text message to her father shortly after 3pm on the day she disappeared.Alice's phone was last actively used to send a text message to her father shortly after 3pm on the day she disappeared.
Police believe this text shows that at this stage she was planning to go home, but may have extended her walk while she waited for him to return home at 6pm as she did not have a key.Police believe this text shows that at this stage she was planning to go home, but may have extended her walk while she waited for him to return home at 6pm as she did not have a key.
Alice is white, 5ft 2in tall, of very slim build and has shoulder-length, light brown hair.Alice is white, 5ft 2in tall, of very slim build and has shoulder-length, light brown hair.
She was last seen wearing dark blue jeans and a dark green lacy cardigan and carrying the dark rucksack.She was last seen wearing dark blue jeans and a dark green lacy cardigan and carrying the dark rucksack.
Appealing for people to think whether they saw Alice on the afternoon she disappeared, Chalmers said she was "very identifiable".Appealing for people to think whether they saw Alice on the afternoon she disappeared, Chalmers said she was "very identifiable".
"Alice was a very thin person. It would have stuck in people's minds," he added."Alice was a very thin person. It would have stuck in people's minds," he added.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigation team on 020-8358 0100, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigation team on 020-8358 0100, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.