Southampton Police Find Man Missing for Six Years, Euripede Cruz

It was a heartwarming day for the Southampton Town Police Department last Thursday when its officers reunited a missing man with his family. Euripede Cruz, 60, went missing in 2008 and was found by Officer Sherakhan Parker on July 10, more than six years after his disappearance.

Cruz was reported missing in 2008 in Waterbury, Connecticut. After years of searching, the man’s family believed him to be deceased, explained Sergeant Susan Ralph.

Parker responded to a report of an allegedly homeless man walking on Montauk Highway early Thursday evening. He located the man, later identified as Cruz, in Quogue Village shortly thereafter.

After Parker concluded the man had not eaten in a while, the officer purchased a meal and water for Cruz. As far as the Southampton Town Police know, Cruz was indeed homeless.

Parker continued his investigation into Cruz’s past. Quogue Village police and Officer Theodore Richert accompanied him for the questioning.

As part of his investigation, Parker did a quick Internet search of Cruz’s name and discovered the missing person report from Connecticut. He obtained family contact information from Waterbury Police Department detectives to tell them Euripede Cruz was found.

Cruz was then taken to the Quogue Village Police Department to await the arrival of his family from Connecticut. Shortly before 9 p.m., Cruz was reunited with his sister, Blanca Cruz. It is still unclear to Southampton Town police as to why Cruz was missing for so long.

Ralph said it was a great story and joyous occasion for the entire Southampton Town Police Department.

“It’s what police work is all about,” she said.