Missing HAZMAT truck & Driver, Florida

WCJB TV 20, Gainesville FL ^ | October 2, 2001

[cgk]

Missing Truck Driver Marion County Marion County's special unit investigating terrorism is looking into the disappearance of a truck driver. His name is William Ellis and he has been missing since September 14. While Ellis has no criminal background, his truck may be a hot commodity for would be terrorists. Investigators say Ellis has no criminal background that would lead them to suspect him of wrongdoing. However, the fact that both he and his truck are missing leads investigators to keep a close eye out for their whereabouts. Right now Marion County, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the F.B.I are on the lookout for that truck. It is a Kenworth it bears the numbers 9-0-7 on the tractor and n-3-8-5-8 on the trailer. A satellite tracking device once attached to the truck is no longer sending a signal, so neither the company nor police know where it is. However, the truck is not the only thing that is suspicious about the disappearance of William Ellis. Elise's family says he has a 2-year-old daughter and would never abruptly leave for 2 weeks without word to his mom. In fact Marion county's special unit investigating terrorism is handing this case back to the missing persons division saying at this time there's no indication of danger to the public. However, they plan to keep an eye out for the truck and William Ellis.

[ez2muz]

"...Have you ever tried driving to the launch pads? There are guards in full body armor with two weapons each blocking those roads. The gates and these unhappy-looking fellows are perhaps five miles from the pads. Security looked pretty good to me."
Presently, A1A is closed from south of the Patrick Air Force Base North to around south Cocoa Beach. On north from there you will find other in-roads running off to the east closed or barricaded.
Try this link for more information about areas that are now off-limits around the Cape...
FloridaToday Cape Security Zone

[lds23]

Don't feel bad if you start profiling. In fact, I encourage it. KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN. Also, they will lay in waiting for YEARS. So don't expect another quick hit by the terrrorists.

[Republicus2001]

I despise America-haters and evil-doers...and we're not the only freedom lovers under seige... RANCHI, India (Reuters) - A policeman was burned alive and five of his colleagues wounded by leftist extremists who attacked a police post in India's eastern state of Jharkand, police said on Sunday.

[Husker24]

I heard it was a cropduster type of aircraft, but not a cropduster.

[GingisK]

...areas that are now off-limits around the Cape...

Excellent, thanks for the link. I'm happy to see signs of life in the security department!

[ez2muz]

"...areas that are now off-limits around the Cape..."

To add just a bit... the link speaks of guarding against attack by sea... however, what I've noticed (by car) there are some roads leading East from A1A that are off-limits. (East would be towards the water for those of you who are land-locked...) ~:)

I've also noticed a few boat ramps in the area with barricades up. Not sure if they're closed or just trying to restrict direct access somehow...

[Crawdad]

Maybe it was Betty-Jo's husband on Pettycoat Junction. He once had a crop duster.

[anymouse]

overseas_patriot - member since September 16th, 2001

Paranoia will annoy 'ya. :)

[anymouse]

Terrorista Nada - member since September 18th, 2001

[anymouse]

Truck isn't getting within 10 miles of the Cape. The Cape is usually pretty tight security, and even higher now.

[anymouse]

Let's not do too much of the enemies recon. for them now.

Just say that security is tight at the Cape and surounding areas. We don't need to know the details, and we sure as he!! don't want the rag heads to get a blueprint for attacking the Cape.

Just keep your eyes peeled for that missing truck or suspicious characters (I know in Florida that's darn near everyone :).

[codder too]

Fox news identified it as a crop duster "TYPE" aircraft.

[Common Tator]

I don't know of any crop duster that is a two seater airplane.

The picture you show is of a single seat plane.

Yet all the stories say two seater? ONe or the other is wrong.

[Magician]

"...I believe Saddam Hussein has a hand in this and that it is a payback to Poppy Bush..."

You, me and the Mossad agree with the above.

[World'sGoneInsane]

I heard it was a cropduster type of aircraft, but not a cropduster.

I heard that too. I wonder what that means? It's almost like a duck, but not a duck? :)

[MississippiMan]

The stories list it as an Ayers AY-65, I believe. The correct name is Ayres. I couldn't find an AY-65, but I did find an Ayres Thrush 65 or some very similar nomenclature.

I'll agree that every conventional cropduster I've ever seen is a single-seater.

MM

[Suck My AR-16]

http://www.starbanner.com/articles/breaking_news/1786.shtml

Search continues for missing trucker

the vehicle owned by Lester Coggins Trucking

[blam]

"Right now Marion County, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the F.B.I are on the lookout for that truck"

Where is Marion County, what city? I'm not to far from I-10.

[blam]

"Ayres Thrush"

I looked all over for a picture of this plane last night.

[Common Tator]

All I could think of if it is a governemnt crop duster, it may be some kind of special model meant to be a trainer for foreign use in traing crop duster pilots by giving them dual instruction.

Maybe that is why you can't find the model or picture. It may be the only one ever built.

I would think a terrorist who was going to steal a crop duster would steal one parked on private strip and rarely used rather than one that belonged to the government.