Missing Winchester Man: Have You Seen Alfredo Rodriguez?

WINCHESTER, CA – Missing for ten days now, the friends and family of a Winchester man who left home without any of his belongings are holding out hope they'll find him well. The family of Alfredo 'Fredo' Rodriguez shifted search gears to the La Quinta area on Friday to update volunteers and thank those who have participated in efforts to find him. On Saturday, they'll head to the French Valley area to do the same.

Rodriguez, 45, was last seen at around 9:30 a.m. May 2, walking on Cottonwood Street in Winchester, according to his family, who say he disappeared from his home without notifying anyone. Sheriff's officials tell Patch that they continue to investigate the missing persons case, which was filed the same day.

He is 5 feet 10, 180 pounds, bald, with green eyes. He was last seen wearing a long sleeve light-colored shirt, black shorts, black shoes, a black baseball cap, and he was carrying a black backpack.

Family members say Rodriguez left his wallet, phone and keys at his home and has not been seen or heard from since.

Originally an Indio resident and a former teacher at Indio's Shadow Hills High School and Coachella's Cahuilla Desert Academy, he was recently hired at the Lake Elsinore Unified School District and moved to Winchester last year.

Family members believe that a recent prescription for Ambien, provided to help Rodriguez with sleeping issues, may have contributed to his disappearance, as labeling for the drug warns of potential side effects such as abnormal thinking, behavioral changes and hallucinations.

"Rodriguez had complained of sleep issues recently and had been prescribed Ambien," a Facebook page dedicated to search efforts for the man states. "A possible adverse effect of the medication, FDA-approved labeling for the drug warns that it can cause such symptoms as abnormal thinking, behavioral changes and hallucinations."

Those who attend the 7 p.m. event at La Quinta Park on Friday, 78468 Westward Ho Drive, will be provided with flyers to distribute.

Fliers have also been distributed throughout the Temecula Valley in recent days and another event is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. at Washington Park on Fields Drive in Winchester.

"The wife, children and family of Alfredo Rodriguez will be speaking to the volunteers and community in the French Valley area," a community announcement states. "The purpose of this gathering is to provide information about the ongoing search for Alfredo, provide flyers to those wishing to help spread the word and to thank the FV community for the support and assistance in bringing 'Fredo' home."

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts was urged to call (951) 973-9308 or (310) 365-3875, or message the Facebook page,"Help Find Alfredo Rodriguez."

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Images courtesy of: Help Find Alfredo Rodriguez Facebook Group / City News Service contributed to this report