Missing VP man found after resident recognizes him

By: CARISSA HEBERT

Managing Editor

A Ville Platte man, reported missing by his family Wednesday, May 21, was discovered Saturday, May 31, after a resident recognized him.

Ville Platte Police Lt./Detective John B. “Chip” Matte Jr. said the department received a call at approximately 3:30 p.m. from a resident who recognized Wendell Hayes, a 49-year-old man who had been missing since Monday, May 5, according to his family. Hayes was seen at the “Y” in Vidrine. Matte said the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office was notified, and a deputy made a traffic stop on U.S. 167, just inside the city limits of Ville Platte.

Matte said Hayes was brought to the station, and his family was contacted. He said Hayes told officers he had been living in Lafayette and working in Pine Prairie. He said his wife’s phone was cut off and the rest of his family had returned back to New Orleans making it difficult to contact anyone.