Search Continues For Missing Endangered Palos Heights Man

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL — As of Sunday evening, police were continuing to search the Forest Preserves of Cook County for a missing Palos Heights man who went missing earlier in the day.

Robert Skoczen, 64, walked out of his home in the 13000 block of Laurel Glen Court, Palos Heights around 7:30 a.m. He was last seen in the vicinity of Westgate Valley Town Homes near Ridgeland Avenue and 135th Street.

At the request of Palos Heights police, the Illinois State Police is activating an endangered missing person advisory Sunday, Dec. 5. Skoczen has Parkinson’s disease and fits the criteria for a “silver alert.”

Skoczen is a 64-year-old white male, 6-feet tall and weighing 230 pounds. He has gray hair and is wearing a dark blue Boston Red Sox jacket and black pants. Skoczen is believed to be on foot.

Palos Heights police spent the day searching the Cooper’s Hawk Family Picnic Area near 135th Street and Ridgeland Avenue, after a police bloodhound tracked the missing man’s scent to the forest preserve. Police have also been flying drones over the area between inclement weather.

A second bloodhound from the Orland Park Police Department was brought to the forest preserve Sunday evening after the first dog got tired, said Deputy Chief Bill Czajkowski, of the Palos Heights Police Department.

The second dog was able to track deeper into the woods. Police are also using an ATV.
“We’ve looked at red-light cameras and security video, There’s no indication he was picked up by anybody,” Czajkowski told Patch.

Assisting in the search are Orland Park and the Forest Preserve of Cook County police.
“We’re still out there looking,” Czajkowski said. “We believe he’s out there.”

Anyone with information of Robert’s whereabouts or if you think you’ve spotted him, contact the Palos Heights Police Department at 708-448-2131 or 911.