While holding back tears, Jerome Stroschein displayed a rubberband man that his 32-year-old son, Jamaal, makes and sells.
“Anywhere you find these, you’ll find him. He took a few thousand of those with him,” Jerome said at a press conference on Thursday morning at the Redmond Police Department (RPD) in front of four news cameras and print media.
Jamaal’s family last saw him around noon on June 3 near their residence in the 18200 block of Northeast 31st Street in Redmond. RPD Chief Ron Gibson said they received a tip that Jamaal, an autistic black male, was last seen on June 6 in the 3500 block of West Lake Sammamish Parkway. He had not been located at the Reporter’s press time.
“Someone has seen him, we don’t know who, but we have to find that person,” Jerome said. “I appreciate all the work that the police have done and we really need to find him, so we’re asking for your help to find Jamaal as soon as we can — for his safety.”
People are asked to call 9-1-1 if they see Jamaal.
Jamaal is described as 5-foot-10, 150 pounds, thin build, brown eyes and brown, tightly curled short hair and he may have grown facial stubble or a beard. It is unknown what type of clothing he was last wearing.
According to RPD Cmdr. Tim Gately in a press release, Jamaal is a high-functioning autistic adult who has been diagnosed with type-two diabetes and anxiety. His family describes his decision making and maturity as that of an 11-13 year-old. If seen in public, Jamaal may appear quiet, shy or exhibit a blank upward stare.
Gibson said they’ve received 10 tips of Jamaal sightings in Redmond, Issaquah and Bellevue, but none of them have panned out. According to the release, he is a former Bellevue College student who often frequents the campus to sell his rubberband men.
“This week, we put out the picture and the information to all city employees. When they’re working in a park or working on a road project or something like that, to keep an eye out for him,” Gibson said.
This case is challenging, Gibson said, because Jamaal has a limited social network, he doesn’t work so there are no co-workers to interview and he doesn’t have a cell phone, credit card, bus pass or vehicle.
“Things that we would normally use to try and find a missing person are simply not available to us, so we’re making the plea to the public today,” Gibson said.
RPD Cmdr. Shari Francois said that Jamaal has left home in the past for a few days, but has managed to return home and was located. This case brings a higher rate of concern since he’s been missing for an extensive period of time with an unknown amount of money, change of clothing or his medication.
“With his mental capacity, he’s an at-risk adult,” Francois said. “That’s why we’re not taking it for granted that he just is a runaway. We’re actually taking this seriously as a missing endangered adult who needs medication, who needs supervision and who needs essentials to survive.”
A couple RPD investigators are working the case along with patrol officers and Pro-Act Unit members, and Francois said they’ve been briefing daily to discuss the case.
“We’re in constant contact with the family,” Francois said. “Any leads we get, as small or large as they are, we’re following up on everything.”
