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Missing Man Turns Up OK In Oklahoma

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 7, 2008

PLANT CITY - Family members and police were relieved but frustrated to learn that a man who disappeared Feb. 29 from his job in Plant City after cashing a large check left on his own volition and is living in Oklahoma.
Paul Ryan Surrency, 27, was reported missing by his family after leaving work at the local Wal-Mart. Plant City police initiated an extensive search for Surrency, who had been living in Bradley Junction in Polk County with his parents.

"Police in Ponca City, Okla., notified us on April 29 they had made contact with Surrency and he was safe," Plant City police Sgt. Jim Shultz said.

Plant City police Detective Jay Best relayed the information to Beverly Hayes, Surrency's sister, in Mulberry.

"I don't know whether to hug Ryan or choke him by the neck," Hayes said. "I'm certainly pleased he is OK, but I'm furious that he left without telling anyone where he was going or what he was doing."
Surrency also has family members in the Ponca City area, officials said.

When Surrency disappeared he was thought to have about $6,000 cash in his pocket from a tax return check he had cashed earlier in the day. Surrency, known as Ryan to family and friends, was last spotted at 11:30 p.m. Feb. 29 by a security camera at the Wal-Mart, 2602 James L. Redman Parkway. Store supervisors said Surrency was fired for breaking company rules by leaving the property that day during one of his breaks, authorities said.

"Our search included helicopters, off-road vehicles, patrol cars and foot patrols," Shultz said. "We used a lot of manpower and resources to try to find Mr. Surrency when he first disappeared. We searched every possible route Surrency might have used on his way home that night."

As police searched for Surrency, the father of two children in Mulberry was headed to Oklahoma, police said.

Plant City police turned their attention to Oklahoma after his abandoned 1991 Honda was towed by a company in Ponca City, Shultz said.

"There was no sign of foul play or damage to the car," Shultz said. "When the car was reported to us is when we returned to the Polk County family for more information. That is when we discovered Surrency had family in the Ponca City area."

Ponca City police later talked to Surrency and a family member who assured officers he was OK, Surrency said.

Surrency's sister Melissa Turner of Live Oak said, "He works hard and cares for his kids. It just floored us that he just left."
Surrency couldn't be reached for comment.

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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