Police Search For Missing Chicago Chef

CHICAGO, IL — Police are seeking the public's help locating a man who's been missing for several days. Luis Mercader, a chef at Roister restaurant, was last seen Thursday, his family said. His backpack was found at Urbanbelly restaurant that day, according to several reports.

Mercader is known to frequent several places around the Fulton Market area, from Halsted to Ashland and Monroe to Fulton police said.

Mercader was last seen wearing a dark hooded jacket and blue jeans, police said. He has a beard, pierced ears and a tattoo of three interlinked triangles.

Mercader's family told WGN he was planning a benefit for victims of Hurricane Maria set for Nov.9 at Animale, but didn't show up, which worried friends and family.

"He left his backpack. He left the food that he ordered," Mercader's uncle, Juan Mercader, told WGN. "Because if he left all his stuff there, it seems like he was in a hurry to leave. Yeah that’s what’s strange."

His car was found near Halsted and Madison Friday morning. Police described him as 5'11, 280 pounds, with brown eyes and a medium complexion.

Anyone with information is asked to call Area Central detectives at (312) 747-8380.

Image via Chicago Police.