Missing Man Probe Includes Dead Dog, Check Cashing

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help locating a visually-impaired Palm Harbor man who was reported missing by the manager of his condo complex.

Raymond Scott Rupp, 45, was last seen in the middle of August when he left his home at the Harbor Club Condos at 455 Alt. 19 to take a computer to be repaired.

Detectives say Rupp has a visual impairment and does not own drive or own a car.

Investigators have also released other unusual developments in the case:

On Aug. 21, deputies responded to Rupp's condo when the management reported a foul odor coming from the residence. Deputies went inside and found a dead female, yellow labrador dog. Deputies were unable to contact Rupp, who rents the condo. They found no evidence to suggest the labrador was a service dog. Animal control was also called to conduct an abandonment-neglect investigation.

By Sept. 16, the manager of the condo complex told deputies that Rupp had not returned to his condo.

"We don't know exactly what happened to him," the manager told Palm Harbor Patch Monday morning.

On Sept. 28, a sheriff's K-9 unit discovered two of Rupp's checkbooks in a transient camp in a wooded area near Nebraska Avenue and U.S. 19. while investigating an unrelated case.

Detectives say there is evidence that someone -who was not Rupp- tried to cash checks on Rupp's account after he was last seen.

Detectives have interviewed Rupp's former roomates and other people he knows.

A Palm Harbor Patch reader says she was at the Harbor Club condos late Friday afternoon and saw deputies launch a boat in the pond. It appeared as though they may have been looking for something in the pond.

Investigators have released this description of Raymond Scott Rupp, along with his photo-

• Age 45
• 5-foot-10
• About 120 pounds
• Graying brown hair
• Blue eyes
• Slight facial hair, possible goatee

If you have information that can help detectives call Pinellas County Sheriff's Crimes Against Persons Corporal Ed Judy at (727) 582-6200, or you can call Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-873-TIPS