Cape Coral Police provide update as search for Barry Schmalbach nears 2 weeks
Authorities announced they have a person of interest in the disappearance of a Cape Coral man days after the arrest of the man's boyfriend on an out-of-state warrant as the missing man's sister arrived in town.
Cape Carol Police Chief Anthony Sizemore said Friday the disappearance of Barry Schmalbach, 56, was "suspicious in nature."
"We're still hopeful that Barry's OK somewhere, but after hearing the news that has been released by CCPD, it's heart-wrenching," said Emily Scaletta, Schmalbach's sister, during a Friday press conference. "We know what this could mean, and to be honest our number-one concerns is still finding Barry.".
Sizemore said they have a person of interest in custody, but didn't provide his identity or the charges he could face. He said that person of interest is being helpful, but added that he had not always been so.
"This results in our team investigating a missing person's case as if it were a crime," Sizemore said. He added that authorities believe there's foul play involved in Schmalbach's disappearance.
Schmalbach's family and friends haven't heard from nor seen him since the evening of July 19, according to Sizemore.
Sizemore said in early releases, Christopher Davis, 35, called police three days later, on July 22, to report the disappearance.
Refusing to name the party he referred to on Friday, he said one call prompted police suspicion.
"The reporting party didn't give any indication that it was unusual or an exigent situation," Sizemore said. "In fact, he dialed back at the end of that call and tried to alleviate any fears."
Sizemore said that, given the "deceptive nature" of the call in question, authorities suspected foul play. He said that, since July 19, they've executed several search warrants for physical and digital evidence items.
He said the search for Schmalbach covers several counties, but added he couldn't disclose the areas.
"Nothing in this case has given us any reason to back down," Sizemore said in an assertive tone.
Authorities declined to answer why a call went through Schmalbach's cellphone on Wednesday and whether they've collected the device as evidence.
While they investigated Schmalbach's disappearance, Sizemore said they uncovered a warrant for Davis' arrest. According to the warrant, Cape Coral Police arrested Davis in front of Esporta Gym, 2301 Del Prado Blvd. S., on an active warrant out of Columbia, South Carolina, for probation violation dated July 11, 2018.
The violation is related to a 2013 conviction on one county of grand larceny and two counts of credit card fraud, said Anita Dantzler, spokesperson for the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.
Jail records indicate Davis remains in custody Friday morning at the Lee County Jail.
Friends, family search for answers in Barry Schmalbach's disappearance
The search for a man known to his family as "a great guy" and "one of the most intelligent people" continues in Cape Coral and beyond..
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers announced Monday an increased reward of $6,000 for any tips that could lead to Schmalbach or making an arrest in the case. They raised the reward again in less than 24 hours to $16,000.
Scaletta said authorities have kept the family "as much in the loop as possible."
Scaletta, who lives in Chicago, said Schmalbach he had lived in Naples before moving to Cape Coral.
She said she and one of Schmalbach's close friends, Miguel Blanco, plans to pass flyers out to local businesses on Saturday.
"If you see us walking around tomorrow with these flyers and we come into your shop or we come into your restaurant, please know that we're coming from a really good place and that we just really want to find Barry," Scaletta said.
She added she plans to stay in Cape Coral for "a few more days."
Blanco, who stood beside Scaletta outside the Cape Coral Police headquarters, said Schmalbach would always respond to text messages, even if it was to say he'd get back to an inquiry later. Blanco said the two have known each other for nine years.
Blanco said he wasn't aware of Davis' warrants.
Scaletta said the family hasn't known Davis too long, but didn't want to speculate who authorities may have in custody.
She said authorities have partnered with the Marco Patriots Disaster Response, a volunteer civilian assistance group to those in need during natural disasters and other emergencies. She added that the search has reached parts of Alligator Alley, as well as the canals by his home.
The group has also searched for Schmalbach in the Cape Coral waterways, said Erin Milchman, spokesperson for the organization.
Schmalbach is described as a 6'3" white male who weighs 200 pounds and has balding blonde hair and blue eyes. His last known location was around the 1800 block of Beach Parkway, in Cape Coral, around 11 p.m. July 20.
Davis declined comment Tuesday.
Detectives with the Cape Coral major crime unit are asking residents and visitors with any tips on Schmalbach's whereabouts to contact them at 239-574-3223 or submit a tip to CCPDtips@Cape Coral.gov or Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at (800) 780-8477.
Tipsters may also be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000 if their tip leads to an arrest. Trish Routte, spokesperson for Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, told The News-Press that the $13,000 increase in the reward comes from "people who are close to Barry."
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Barry Schmalbach case: Police announce 'person of interest' in
