WA Police have asked people across Perth's southern suburbs to check their backyards, sheds and home security cameras as the search goes on for Jin Hee Egan Chong, a 24-year-old man who has not been seen since Saturday morning.
Jin was last seen at about 11am on Saturday 24 October near Riverton Drive East in Shelley, walking towards Willetton. Police say they hold urgent concerns for his welfare. By Sunday night he had been missing for more than 30 hours.
Who police are looking for
According to the WA Police media release, Jin is about 165cm tall, of East Asian appearance, with a slim build and black hair. When he was last seen he was wearing black slippers, charcoal grey pants and a navy blue top.
Jin has autism and is non-verbal. Police say he finds it hard to communicate and may not go to anyone for help. He was out with his carers when he walked off. He left behind a backpack holding his mobile phone and tracking devices, so he cannot be located that way.
Inspector Mo Livingstone told reporters on Sunday that Jin has no food or water with him and may not realise he needs either.
"With the autism, he's got the capability of a 10-year-old." — Inspector Mo Livingstone, WA Police
Where he might go
Police say Jin is known to walk long distances and is drawn to main roads, shopping centres and post offices. He also uses public transport. The Public Transport Authority has been going through CCTV footage because police believe he may have caught a train north to Yanchep, where there is a shop he likes to visit for magazines and comics, Nine News reported.
State Emergency Service volunteers searched bushland in the area on Sunday.
Jin has gone missing before. In 2023 he was found by tradespeople at a construction site two days after he disappeared, about 15 kilometres from where he had last been seen.
What police are asking
Residents in Shelley, Willetton, Riverton, Rossmoyne and nearby suburbs are being asked to look through sheds, garages and backyards, and to check any home security or dash cam footage from Saturday onwards for a man matching Jin's description.
Police have asked anyone who sees him not to approach him. He does not respond well to strangers and may be frightened. Instead, stay with him at a distance if it is safe to do so and call police straight away.
"Please do not approach Jin, but contact police." — Inspector Mo Livingstone
How to help
Anyone who sees Jin, or has any information about where he might be, should call WA Police immediately on 131 444. In an emergency, call 000.
Commuters on the Mandurah and Yanchep lines, and anyone near shopping centres or post offices around Perth, are asked to keep an eye out too. Overnight temperatures have dropped as low as single figures in parts of the metro area this weekend, which adds to police concern for someone spending a second night outdoors without food or water.
Photo: Shelley foreshore on the Canning River, by Elrondil via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0). File photo of the area, not of the search.
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